The Tánaiste Joan Burton has come out in defence of the new legislation that will see thousand’s of lone parents losing their benefit entitlements.
The Tánaiste’s comments come after the new legislation came into effect earlier this week. Under the new law single parents who are currently in receipt of social welfare payments, will have to apply normal Jobseeker’s Allowance only if their youngest child is aged 14. Ms Burton said she fully supports the new legislation saying that it is of benefit to everyone. Ms Burton says lone parents should not have to seek employment until their youngest child is aged 14, and believes that taking care of children between the ages of 7 and 14 years should be considered a transition period.
Ms Burton said: “You’re not expected to seek work, but lots of people choose to, until you’re youngest child is 14.” “So it’s a 14-year period, from your baby, until that baby is likely to be in the first or second year of secondary school.”Looking at the fact that in Ireland, childcare services are not quite as good as they are in a lot of other countries and I want to change that.” “The first point in which we contact you is after the child turns 7, you go into a transition period which is about education, training, experience, if you want to work that’s fine, but that is your choice.”
The Tánaiste added: “But when the child turns 14, we’re saying to you, in a couple of years your child will be a young adult, we want you to take the chance now to get involved in work and really get yourself financial independence for later on.”