One Family supports Welfare reform

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Media Release, Weds 29 August 2012

In response to today’s news that the EU has warned Government that it needs to reform our welfare system, One Family, Ireland’s leading organisation for one-parent families, welcomes the broad recommendations and in particular the broadening of the tax base.

Stuart Duffin, One Family Welfare to Work Manager explains, ‘Despite what the economists might say, the jobs recovery has not yet begun. Low-income people, particularly those parenting alone, are facing two significant challenges. The first is simply keeping their heads above water, as they struggle to cover their rent or mortgage, to meet the continually rising costs of energy, to cover the costs of transportation, of putting food on the table and of educating their children, all during a period of high unemployment and few sustainable labour market opportunities. The second challenge is how to develop the skills necessary to participate in any economic recovery and to be capable of benefiting from future economic growth.’

Any successful poverty reduction strategy for Ireland must include a new approach to social assistance programmes that recognises these challenges.  The Irish Government needs an overall vision for social assistance. Its adoption of poverty reduction as a goal in social policy must be echoed by creating a 21st century income security system, with underlying principles recognizing diversity through creating equity, treating people with dignity and respect, enhancing social and economic inclusion and eradicating poverty traps.

Duffin continues, ‘One Family’s Ten Solutions are all about delivering some of the supports needed to enable those parenting alone to have better futures out of poverty, off social assistance and in quality, sustainable jobs.  A key element of reform will be the Government’s commitment to flexibilities within the system:  for example, lone parents who transition to Jobseeker’s Allowance should not be required to be available for fulltime work but rather for 15 hours per week during school hours. This should mitigate many of the child protection concerns that have arisen around 7 year olds being left on their own. A series of flexibilities or exemptions are required in the UK and many other countries to allow for a lack of childcare, lack of transport, a child with a disability, separation, bereavement, home-schooling and so on.’

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For more information contact Hilary Fennell, Communications Manager, One Family, 01 6629212 / 087 2359515 or  Stuart Duffin, Welfare to Work Manager, 087 0622023

 

One Family’s Sherie de Burgh to give masterclass on challenges around unplanned pregnancy

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One Family Counselling Coordinator Sherie de Burgh will be delivering one of a series of masterclasses aimed at giving professionals in-depth knowledge and skills to resource them in managing the challenges that present around unplanned pregnancy. The masterclasses are being organised by the Deptartment of Adult and Community Education, NYU, Maynooth. Applications will be taken on a first come first served basis for all classes and early booking is advisable. The first class is at the end of September. See the link below

Masterclasses 2012

One Family Director Karen Kiernan amongst nominees to serve on Government’s Constitutional Convention

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A full list of experts nominated by civil society groups to serve on the Government’s Constitutional Convention has been published – including One Family Director, Karen Kiernan http://www.iccl.ie/news/2012/08/16/expert-nominations-to-constitutional-convention-revealed.html

Stressed getting ready for Back to School?

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Stressed out about getting the kids, and yourself, ready to go back to school? One Family’s tips should help!

https://www.onefamily.ie/wp-content/uploads/Level-4-Relationships-Back-to-School1.pdf

One Family’s Stuart Duffin on RTE calling for Child Benefit reform

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Listen back to Stuart Duffin, One Family Welfare to Work Manager, speaking out on RTE 1’s Drivetime yesterday, calling for reform of the Child Benefit system.

He is at 01:57:00:00 towards the end of the show, here is the link

http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!rii=9%3A3367480%3A83%3A14-08-2012%3A

One Family welcomes restructuring of Child Benefit

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Media Release, 14 August 2012

One Family welcomes restructuring of Child Benefit

Following reports that wealthy parents will be able to hand back the €140-a-month child benefit payment to the State if they wish, under new measures being drawn up by Government officials, One Family’s Stuart Duffin states, ‘As part of our submission for Budget 2013 we are recommending a restructuring of Child Benefit to ensure that it is tailored to those most in need.’

One Family recommends the following approach to child benefit:

An unconditional, non-withdrawable income payable to each child as a right.

A second level payment tailored to the needs of the family ensuring that the needs of economically disadvantaged families, such as those parenting alone, are fully recognized. This second level assistance should be seen as income and therefore means-tested, for example through the tax system, and could be paid to low income families as a refundable tax credit.

Duffin continues, ‘Putting money into the hands of low-income families and in particular lone parents, who will spend that money at businesses in their communities, helps keep the economy moving. Increases to incomes will go directly to the purchase of food, clothing and other household necessities, benefiting not only low-income families but also our economy.’

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For more information contact:

Hilary Fennell, Communications Manager, One Family, 01 6629212

or

Stuart Duffin, Welfare to Work Manager, One Family, 01 6629212