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Lone-parents 'may lose benefits when children reach 13'


Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/02/2010. Lone-parents 'may lose benefits when children reach 13'Tags: Parenting Kids Education And Politics

Single mothers and fathers stand to lose their lone-parent benefit once their child reaches the age of 13, it has been reported.

According to the Irish Independent, there are currently 189,240 one-parent families in Ireland, with almost 90,000 receiving this allowance.

At present, parents who are eligible can claim the benefit until their children reach the age of 18 or 22 if they are still in full-time education.

Social and family affairs minister Mary Hanafin said any move to lower the age limit and reduce payments would be phased in gradually.

"I'm not suggesting teenagers don't need support as well but at least they're in school until 4pm… there's much better opportunities for the mother to get employment," she commented.

In related news, the same publication reported last year that many single parents struggle to meet the costs associated with sending their children to schools, such as paying for books, uniforms and shoes.

Written by Donal Walsh


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Comments

genshome

(08/02/2010 09:44)


This is a step the government will regret later.
There should be a parent in the home to care for children and teens until they reach adulthood. If the aim of the Government is really to allow the lone parent to work, then they must provide alternative care for children, until the parent is earning enough to afford after school care and nanny care for school holidays. Schools cannot take on this responsibility. They cannot care or supervise children going to and from school, they cannot supervise children during school holidays and days off or on sick days. Unless School hours matched working hours and unless schools were provided with 'Care" staff, a lone parent is NOT free to take up full time employment.

Also NOT supervising teenagers, means that they are vulnerable to drinking, drug taking and premature sexual encounters. Already there is a problem with 'empty gaffs' during the day where teens gather in a house where parents are absent due to work.

Personally, I believe that we should be paying one parent to stay at home or paying and or supplementing the full cost of childcare where parents opt to go out to work.

But children Should be our first priority, they are dependent and they should have full time care and guidance all the way to adulthood

Just my two cents ...

ossy

(09/02/2010 21:47)


a disgrace, what does Mary Hanafin suggest we do for 9 summer weeks, 2 Easter weeks, 2 Christmas weeks & 2 mid term breaks 15 weeks in total, & thats not counting all the 1/2 days, holy days, & days the children are home sick. What employer will give you that time off with pay if you know these employers introduce me please Ms Hanafin

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