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6 December 2011

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Treoir: Cumulative changes add up to hardship for unmarried parents

By Treoir

THE Budget introduced a range of significant reductions that will affect unmarried parents. Treoir is concerned that the amount of earnings disregard for the purposes of One-Parent Family Payment is to be reduced from €146.50 to €130 per week in January 2012 for existing as well as new recipients.

In addition, further reductions will be introduced over the following four years. Approximately 60% of parents on One-Parent Family payment also work so it will have grave repercussion on their regular income.

The ‘one person, one payment’ policy will be a strong disincentive for unmarried parents to avail of the Community Employment Scheme. This scheme is an opportunity for unmarried parents to supplement their income, to retain and develop their skills and remain active while they are awaiting an opportunity to return to the labour market.

The changes in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will also add great hardship to many struggling unmarried families. It will reduce from €305 to €250 for children aged 12 years or more and from €200 to €150 for children aged 4-11 years.

There will also be an increase in the minimum contribution by tenants towards rent for the purposes of the Rent Supplement Scheme.

The upper age limit of the youngest child for new claimants of One-Parent Family Payment will be reduced to 7 years on a phased basis. It will be reduced to 12 years with effect from 2012, 10 years in 2013 and 7 years in 2014.

The cumulative effect of all this changes will lead to further hardship for unmarried parents on social welfare, an already vulnerable group at the edge of poverty.

http://www.treoir.ie

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