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A new research report from One Family, the leading provider of specialist family support services to one-parent families in Ireland, was launched this morning by Mary Hanafin, Minister for Social and Family Affairs at a unique forum of social partners in Dublin.

The report entitled: ‘Lone Parents and Employment: What are the Real Issues?’ is the first nationally representative study of One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) recipients in Ireland and analyses data from over 1600 respondents.

Key Findings

Candy Murphy , Research & Policy Manager with One Family, was the principal researcher and author of the report and in her address at the launch she summarised the results into three key findings:

Firstly, she identified that the study clearly demonstrates the high level of motivation among lone parents on the OFP to participate in employment. The vast majority of those surveyed (84 per cent) are currently working, looking for work or engaged in education or training. The study highlights how pathways are required to support lone parents to pursue their career plans and to achieve sustainable employment.

Secondly, balancing work and parenting is a challenge. For lone parents, their participation in employment is not at the expense of parenting but rather is something that must be accommodated with an important parenting role.

The third key finding she highlighted was that the results demonstrate that lone parents are not a homogenous group but are highly diverse with differing needs and experiences. Three clear subgroups of lone parents were identified: older parents, parents from new communities and male lone parents.

Policy Context

The context in which the research was undertaken is one in which the Irish Government has set out a proposal to change the way the state provides welfare supports to lone parents. These reforms will among other things incorporate a requirement to be available for work when the youngest child reaches a certain age, yet to be specified.

Such policy reform is taking place within a growing Irish and international policy climate that supports greater ‘activation’ or labour market engagement of those of working age most reliant on social welfare, including lone parents. The results of this study will inform this debate.

Key Recommendations

The study recommends the development and implementation of a 4 part strategy to support lone parents into sustainable employment. This strategy includes:

Ms Murphy calls on the Government to continue with its plans for reform, but she advises, ‘Rather than pursuing a compulsory approach, we strongly recommend that this activation process be voluntary, building on the strong motivation to work found in the study and accompanied by a package of supports, as is the situation in other countries that have adopted a similar approach.’

She goes on to outline that ‘These supports must include greater access to affordable, quality childcare for lone parents, the removal of the rent supplement poverty trap and support for greater access to education, training and qualifications, in order to succeed. The report spells out in detail how such supports should be rolled out ’.

Fiona Weir, Chief Executive of One Parent Families|Gingerbread, UK, said at the conference that similar proposals for compulsory activation in the UK are being strongly opposed until the proper supports are in place and the proposals are piloted and the results analysed.

“The imminent welfare reform changes in the UK will pile pressure on lone parents, at a time when the labour market is creaking under the strain of growing unemployment. This is the wrong policy at the wrong time and it is lone parents and their children who will lose out.

I would hope that the Irish Government will not go down this route but will rather engage in a positive way to support lone parents in moving into sustainable employment”.

Responses from Social Partners

The launch of the research report was followed by a panel discussion, chaired by Ms Mary Doyle, Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach, involving a unique forum of representatives from the social partners, including IBEC, ICTU, DSFA, CDVEC and FÁS. Representatives from these organisations who all have a stake in how lone parents can be supported into employment outlined their response to the research and indicated what actions their particular organisations are taking to address the findings.

Karen Kiernan, Director of One Family concluded proceedings: ‘One Family are already working to help build the pathways required to support lone parents to enter and progress into sustainable employment. We look forward to working with our partners in progressing the study’s proposals and in helping lone parents to achieve their aspirations with associated benefits for them and their families.’

ENDS

For more information or for interviews please contact:

Candy Murphy, Research and Policy Manager, One Family, 087 2933180, or

Paul Kelly, Communications Manager, One Family, 086 8218465

Notes to Editors:

The research was funded by the Combat Poverty Agency under their Poverty Research Initiative.

The research was assisted by the Dept. of Social and Family Affairs.

Speakers at the seminar included:

 

Case studies:

Rent Supplement

The research indicates that the current practice of administering Rent Supplement is a major barrier to lone parents in their attempts to gain employment due to the significant loss of benefit once the parent starts to increase their hours in work.

Karen is a 39 year old Irish woman who has been on the OFP for nine years and she has been living in private rented accommodation receiving Rent Supplement. She has two children now aged 12 and 10 years old. Over the past eight years Karen has been engaging in adult education with a view to progressing to a well paid job that can move her off social welfare. Having started with parenting courses in One Family, Karen moved to attain a First in a degree course from NUI Maynooth which was achievable as it was offered on a modular basis and she accessed a scholarship from Bank of Ireland .

Karen’s difficulty now is that she cannot find a job that pays enough to cover her childcare costs and that will compensate for the huge loss in her Rent Supplement that would be immediately implemented on starting work. This poverty trap means that work would not pay for her and she is unable to progress.

New Communities

The research indicates that lone parents from new communities tend to be relatively highly educated and highly motivated to work. Poor English and lower levels of family support and health are challenges for them.

Ada is a 34 year old Nigerian woman with two children who has been on the OFP since 2003 since coming to live in Ireland . She has a degree in psychology and many years experience of working in a bank in Nigeria gaining regular promotions.

After acquiring residency, Ada tried unsuccessfully to gain employment in banks or insurance companies but was consistently unsuccessful at gaining interviews for even entry level jobs in an Irish bank. She believes that her name, Irish address and country of origin worked against her. During this time she kept busy undertaking various training courses in NUI Maynooth and with FAS, and undertook part-time waitressing work to supplement her social welfare payments.

Ada is currently pursuing a Masters in HR whilst participating on a Community Employment Scheme. Her goal is to get experience working in an Irish office environment, progress to get a better job, get her Masters, and integrate in Ireland .

A leading national support organisation for one-parent families, One Family, has experienced an influx of calls to its helpline as the recession deepens.  With escalating calls on social welfare entitlements and redundancy, One Family has launched an advertising campaign to alert lone parents to the availability of the organisations helpline.

The askonefamily National Helpline for all members of one-parent families was established in 2004 and operates from One Family’s office in Dublin handling nationwide queries about issues affecting lone parents.  Operating from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, the askonefamily National Helpline can be contacted by Lo-call 1890 66 22 12 or by emailing support@onefamily.ie.

Karen Kiernan, Director, One Family said ‘One-parent families experience a range of issues and it can be confusing working out just where to go to get advice. Callers to the askonefamily National Helpline live in a variety of types of one-parent families and circumstances and range from the single mums and dads parenting alone to the separated and divorced parents who are sharing parenting.  We also receive calls from friends and relatives as well as professionals working with one-parent families.  The helpline service is confidential and staff are knowledgeable and supportive.’

Callers to the askonefamily National Helpline look for information, support and referral on a diverse range of issues, from queries about social welfare benefits to family law issues, from childcare and parenting to returning to work or education.

The nationwide radio and print advertising campaign, devised in conjunction with McConnells Advertising, aims to raise awareness that parenting alone can stretch one-parent families but that help is available.

‘We are aware that our clients are concerned about proposed forthcoming Government cuts some of which are  specific to lone parent income supports.  Many lone parents wish to enter the workplace but without affordable and available childcare supports are caught in a poverty trap and are seeking guidance and support from One Family’, concluded Karen Kiernan, Director, One Family.

One Family has been in existence for 36 years and provides a range of services for one-parent families in Ireland .  Services include parenting and skills training, counselling and parent mentoring and a wide range of information supports.

Editors note:

Facts about one-parent families:

·                    1 in 6 families are a one-parent family (Census 2006).

·                    1 in 5 children live in a one-parent family (Census 2006).

·                    18% of all families or 190,000 families in Ireland today are  one-parent families.

·                    One-parent families are at greater risk of poverty than most other families. You are 4 times more likely to live in poverty if you live in a one-parent family (EU-SILC 2006).

Press queries to:

Nora Lucey, Communications Manager, Tel. 01 662 9212, 086 2370029 or

Karen Kiernan, Director, One Family Tel. 01 662 9212,  Tel. 086 8509191.

One Family, the leading provider of specialist support services for one-parent families in Ireland, today 19 September 2008 launched its Pre-Budget Submission 2009. At a time when cutbacks are inevitable One Family calls on the Government to ensure that those already experiencing high levels of poverty and social exclusion are not asked to also carry the costs of the economic slowdown. The organisation highlighted the already rising levels of poverty experienced by one-parent families in Ireland with 33% of lone parent households living in poverty; a rate more than 4.5 times the national average.
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager, One Family today said: “Many lone parents contact us because they are having real difficulty making ends meet for their families. Often parents find that social welfare benefits are simply too low to keep their families out of poverty. Meanwhile many lone parents want to go back to work or education but cannot afford the childcare and other costs that go with that decision. They are left in a catch-22 position and it is the family that suffers.”
Ms Murphy continued: “The government has stated its desire to reduce poverty rates for lone parents and their children and to remove barriers to employment for this vulnerable group. We are today calling on the government to institute immediate changes in order to start to make this a reality in 2009.”
One Family’s Pre-Budget Submission 2009 calls on the Government to include measures that will raise the income of one-parent families, increase payments to children living in low income households and remove barriers to employment and education for lone parents.
Importantly in the light of ESRI expectations that the economy will return to a growth path in the not too distant future, One Family also calls on the government to adopt a longer term strategy aimed at  significantly reducing poverty rates among one-parent families. The aim of this strategy would be to reduce poverty rates among one-parent families to 2% by 2012. The key elements of this strategy are increased educational provision; reform of lone parent state reports in a manner that supports choice and opportunity; greater access to social housing; and provision of the medical card for children.
To compliment the work-related programme of reforms, One Family also calls for such a strategy to support better work-life balance initiatives that do not result in loss of income; to fund parenting supports; and to ensure better access to family supports.
One Family is particularly calling on the Government in Budget 2009 to:
One Family Director Karen Kiernan said: “Lone parents and their children represent a group in our society which is experiencing very high levels of poverty and social exclusion. Particularly in a time of economic difficulty the state needs to ensure that this vulnerable group do not slip further into poverty. In addition urgent reform is needed to remove barriers and support lone parents who wish to enter, remain in and progress in employment.”
ENDS
For further information please contact
Karen Kiernan, 01 662 9212/ 086 850 9191

1 SEPTEMBER 2008: A leading organisation providing support services to one-parent families in Ireland, One Family, is calling on the Government to ensure adequate childcare and parenting supports are available to lone parents moving from welfare to work. The call is being made to coincide with the launch of the organisation’s Annual Review 2007. One Family research on Lone Parents & Employment, begun in 2007 and due to be launched in November 2008, shows that the majority of lone parents want to work but also believe in the importance of their parenting role and may need support in parenting and childcare to ensure their family needs are met.
Preliminary findings from One Family’s research, supported by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and funded by the Combat Poverty Agency, show that 80% of the lone parents participating in the research are currently working, looking for work or engaged in education or training; 60% of those not currently in employment were looking for work and wanted to be in employment. However, many lone parents felt that participation in employment should not be at the expense of parenting but that it should accommodate and compliment an important parenting role.
Candy Murphy, Policy & Research Manager, One Family said: “These findings indicate that lone parents require a high level of flexibility in relation to employment. People parenting alone have to organise their work around parenting responsibilities and childcare options which means that most end up working part-time hours and experience limited financial reward in relation to employment. This creates a situation where work simply does not pay for lone parents; any government plans to move lone parents from welfare to work must address these barriers and provide substantial parenting and childcare supports to lone parents in order to make work viable for this vulnerable group.”

Monday 14 July 2008: A leading national support organisation for one-parent families, One Family, is calling for equal respect and value for all one-parent families under the Irish Constitution.  One Family welcomes today’s (14 July 2008) launch of a shadow report detailing Ireland’s compliance to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). One Family along with many other NGOs have contributed to the production of this report which will be used to further the promotion of human rights in Ireland .The report, being launched by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Free Legal Advice Centre and the Irish Penal Reform Trust incorporates recommendations on Article 23 of the ICCPR to the effect that the Irish Constitution be changed to give full equality to all families under Irish law and also to ensure an ending to  the practice where the welfare of the child is not given paramount consideration in all family law proceedings.
One Family has long maintained that the definition of a family as laid down in the Irish Constitution “is no longer valid in today’s society” and is completely “out of touch with reality” as it is defined traditionally through judicial interpretation to mean the family based on marriage.”
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager of One Family said “It is extremely important to recognise one-parent families for the strong family units they are and we are calling on the Government to change the Irish Constitution to reflect this.  In our view all families should be recognised within the Constitution and families in difficulties supported, particularly those that are especially vulnerable. It’s about equality for all families and particularly all children.”
One Family has being in existence for 36 years and provides a range of services for one-parent families in Ireland. Services include parenting and skills training, counselling and parent mentoring and a wide range of information supports.
ENDS
For further information please contact
Catherine Joyce, Communications Manager 01 664 0125/ 086 343 2542
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager 01 662 9212/087 293 3180
Editor’s Note: The UN Human Rights Committee’s examination of Ireland’s human rights record takes place in Geneva on Monday 14 July and Tuesday 15 July.
The examination is the first by the UN Human Rights Committee since 2000 and will provide a definitive assessment of Ireland’s human rights record.

One Family sends its sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Seamus Brennan T.D. who the organisation worked closely with during his time as Minister for Social and Family Affairs. While in that role, Seamus Brennan T.D. was involved in progressing positive initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in our society through changes in the social welfare system.
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager of One Family said: “Seamus Brennan T.D. was actively engaged in a process of policy reform aimed at reducing poverty and social exclusion affecting one-parent families in Ireland and had a very positive relationship with One Family.”
Karen Kiernan, Director, One Family said “Everyone in One Family wishes to express our deepest sympathies to Mr. Brennan’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Introduction

In general One Family supports the submissions to the joint committee made by the Ombudsman for Children and by the Children’s Rights Alliance. One Family is therefore limiting its response to Clause 1 (Article 42(A).1), Clause 2 (Article 42(A) 2.1) and Clause 4 (Article 42(A).4.

Submission-PDF file -May-2008

Maeve Malone, 11, and May McCann, 7, celebrate International Day of the Family on 15 May 2008. Marking the day, One Family called for change to the definition of the family under the Irish Constitution to provide equal respect and value for all families in Ireland.

A leading national support organisation for one-parent families, One Family, is calling for equal respect and value for one-parent families under the Irish Constitution.  The call is being made to coincide with One Family’s celebration of International Day of the Family which takes place today (Thursday 15th May 2008).  The International Day of the Family is a UN initiative reflecting the need to respect the rights and values of all families throughout the world.  According to One Family the definition of a family as laid down in the Irish Constitution “is no longer valid in today’s society” and is completely “out of touch with reality” as it is defined traditionally through judicial interpretation to mean the family based on marriage.  This One Family says “excludes nearly half a million people in Ireland who are part of one-parent families.”
 
Facts about One-Parent Families
Karen Kiernan, Director, One Family said “It is extremely important to recognise one-parent families for the strong family units they are and we are calling on the Government to change the Irish Constitution to reflect this.  In Ireland, married families are given the highest respect and value in the Constitution often at the expense of lone-parents and families who can be vulnerable in areas such as poverty, skills and family supports.
It is imperative that the Irish Constitution gives equal respect and value to families where people are parenting alone or sharing parenting. It’s about equality for all families and particularly all children.  International Day of the Family gives us an opportunity to reflect on this and to celebrate and appreciate diversity in family life.”
One Family has being in existence for 36 years and provides a range of services for one-parent families in Ireland. Services include parenting and skills training, counselling and parent mentoring and a wide range of information supports.
ENDS
 
For further information please contact
Catherine Joyce, Communications Manager 01 664 0125/ 086 343 2542
Karen Kiernan, Director, 01 662 9212/ 086 8509191
 
Editor’s Note: The International Day of the Family was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assemby in its resolution 47/237 of 20 September 1993.  The annual observance of the International Day of the Family reflects the importance that the international community attaches to families as basic units of society as well as its concerns regarding the plight of millions of families around the world.

Lone Parents & Work:
One Family report highlights need to tackle personal barriers faced by lone Parents

Martin Cullen T.D., Minister for Social and Family Affairs, launched One Family’s Strategy 2007-2009 and New Future Project Report on 8 April 2008. One Family’s New Futures Project is an integrated model of support for lone parents, dealing particularly with the personal barriers that exist for lone parents in progressing from welfare dependency to employment.
Karen Kiernan, Director, One Family: “Lone parents often face a number of hidden barriers when moving from social welfare to education or employment. In addition to external barriers such as lack of childcare and reductions in essential benefits such as rent supplement, many lone parents experience a lack of confidence and belief in their abilities which makes going into the labour market a daunting task.”
Funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform as part of the Equality for Women Measure, One Family’s New Futures project succeeded in helping the lone parents involved to build their confidence and self-esteem. It also gave them hope; many parents indicated that after the programme they had greater clarity on how to really achieve their aims and ambitions and a greater belief in their ability to build a positive future for themselves and their family. Ms. Kiernan notes: “What really emerged from the pilot programmes was the extreme importance of dealing with the breadth of barriers that lone parents face in moving from welfare to work. The parents felt that they were better able to engage with skills training once they had overcome personal challenges. We believe that if Government’s activation plans are to really succeed, all of the challenges facing lone parents will need to be addressed, including ensuring that staff in the relevant state services are fully aware of the complexity and diversity of needs of lone parent clients.”
One Family will continue to develop the New Futures programme under its Strategy 2007- 2009. The Strategy also governs the expansion of One Family’s comprehensive services for one-parent families. Karen Kiernan stated: “Under our Strategy 2007-2009, we will continue to develop our wrap-around service model, providing a one-stop shop for lone parents, supporting them in both their personal and professional development as well as harnessing this learning to achieve real and effective changes in government policies that affect the lives of one-parent families.”
ENDS
For further information please contact
Catherine Joyce, Communications Manager 01 664 0125/ 086 343 2542
Karen Kiernan, Director, 01 662 9212/ 086 8509191

One Family sought real increases in social welfare to reduce poverty and to provide better services and innovative programmes for one-parent families in today’s Budget (5 December). Recent CSO figures revealed that the consistent poverty rate for one-parent families increased from 27% in 2005 to 32.5% in 2006 making one-parent families 4.5 times more likely to live in poverty than other family types. Budget 2008 provided a real opportunity to address the serious increase in poverty among this vulnerable group and yet Government have failed to respond with adequate increases in supports for one-parent families.
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager, One Family, this evening said: “What one-parent families got was a lot less than what is needed. The Government successfully dampened expectations but it did nothing to prioritise areas such as child & family poverty despite commitments given.”
Ms. Murphy continued, “One Family is extremely disappointed by the €2 per week increase in the Qualified Child Allowance and the €20 increase in the Back to School Footwear and Clothing Allowance. These increases do not reflect the Government’s commitment to tackle child poverty. An increase of €100 per annum in the Early Childcare Payment will do nothing to help those parenting alone to cope with increasing food and other costs. The increases seen in Budget 2008 are insufficient to deal with the serious issues facing one-parent families in Ireland.”
ENDS

 

One Family, the leading provider of specialist support services for one-parent families in Ireland welcomes Minister for Children Brendan Smith’s announcement of changes to the proposed Childcare Subvention Scheme today (7 November).
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager, One Family said: “We are very pleased with the Minister’s response to One Family’s concerns that the proposed new Scheme would only provide subsidised childcare for those on social welfare and at a much reduced rate for those eligible for FIS. We very much welcome Mr. Smith’s introduction of an income threshold as the basis for assessing eligibility for the Scheme and for supporting parents on low incomes.”
However, One Family remains uncertain that the needs of lone parents will be adequately met by the Scheme, particularly for lone parents transitioning from social welfare to employment. One Family today asked Minister Smith to ensure  that the chosen income level actually makes work pay for one-parent families  encouraged the Minister to develop Ireland’s childcare policy in a way that ensures that transition periods do not create situations where parents are worse off financially than they were on social welfare.
One Family continues to work closely with the relevant Government departments to ensure that government policies aimed at encouraging lone parents to enter and progress within the labour market will have a positive effect on the lives of those parents and their families.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Catherine Joyce, Communications Manager 01 664 0125/ 086 343 2542
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager, 01 662 9212/ 087 293 3180

One Family, the leading provider of specialist support services for one-parent families in Ireland today (6 November) added its voice to the concerns being expressed from many quarters on the Government’s plan to introduce the Childcare Subvention Scheme.

Candy Murphy, Policy Manager, One Family said: “The Childcare Subvention Scheme contradicts Government’s proposed changes to the social welfare system, which focus on getting people back to education and employment. The Subvention Scheme will create the opposite situation; where parents on social welfare will be less likely to move into work for fear of losing income and being left with unmanageable childcare costs.”
Ms. Murphy continued: “This Scheme will exacerbate the challenges for lone parents trying to move away from social welfare and access meaningful and sustainable employment. Research shows that one-parent families face very significant difficulties in making the transition from social welfare to work, including rising childcare costs.  Government’s plans to assist parents in overcoming these difficulties are wholly undermined by the proposed Scheme, which needs to be seriously rethought. One Family calls on the Government to support lone parents in the transition from social welfare to work and not to create further barriers for such families.”
One Family provides a range of services to one-parent families including courses assisting parents back into education and employment.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Catherine Joyce, Communications Manager 01 664 0125/ 086 343 2542
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager, 01 662 9212/ 087 293 3180

One Family, the leading provider of specialist support services for one-parent families in Ireland, today (18 October 2007) launched its Pre-Budget Submission 2008.

At a time when purse strings are tightening, One Family called on the Government to remember its commitments in the Programme for Government to provide supports for families, for parents and for children in both accessing the world of education and work and in enjoying family life. Many one-parent families continue to struggle against the increased costs of living under the Celtic Tiger without reaping its rewards, often unable to access quality education and employment options because of childcare and housing shortages.

Candy Murphy, Policy Manager, One Family today said: “Many lone parents fall into a poverty trap where they are unable to take up meaningful employment opportunities because they cannot support their families on their wages as costs increase at the same time as social welfare supports are cut back. Many lone parents call us because they want to go back to education or work but can’t afford the childcare and other costs that go with that decision.”
Ms Murphy continued: “The Programme for Government 2007 recognises that effective state supports must contain three elements: adequate income, accessible and relevant services and innovatory measures to reflect changing realities. We are today calling on the Government to live up to those promises and to support one-parent families in ways that can make a real and positive difference to their lives.”
One Family’s Pre-Budget Submission 2008 calls on the Government to include measures that will raise the income of one parent families, support lone parents to participate effectively in the labour market and improve services to one-parent families, particularly in relation to childcare, education and training as well as health and housing. The Submission also asks Government to work with NGOs such as One Family to develop new, innovative and relevant services for families, particularly in relation to accessing meaningful work, after-school care, parenting and family support.
One Family is particularly calling on the Government to:
Ms Murphy said: “The most important thing is that Government looks at ways to support the most vulnerable families in our society and to support them at all stages, especially when they are in a period of crisis or transition. Many of the current and future citizens and workers of Ireland are members of a one-parent family. The Government needs to invest in their future and support them in reaching their full potential.”
ENDS
For further information please contact
Catherine Joyce, Communications Manager 01 664 0125/ 086 343 2542
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager, 01 662 9212/ 087 293 3180

One Family, the leading provider of specialist support services for one-parent families in Ireland, launched a major survey of lone parents and employment on 2 October 2007 .

The survey, funded by Combat Poverty Agency and supported by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, is the largest survey of One-Parent Family Payment recipients to be carried out. The survey aims to identify the real issues affecting lone parents in accessing employment and sustaining meaningful careers.. The findings of this research will  be used to inform the Government’s plans for reforming state support for lone parents.
Candy Murphy, Policy Manager with One Family said: “It’s crucial that we properly examine the reality on the ground for lone parents in order to inform government policy. Lone parents at present experience serious obstacles in accessing quality education and employment and are often caught in  poverty traps. It is vital that the State supports lone parents in a way that can help them overcome obstacles rather than perpetuate existing problems.”
As Candy Murphy said: “ This survey represents a real opportunity for lone parents on social welfare to influence government policy in areas that seriously affect their lives, particularly in relation to breaking down the barriers that currently prevent many lone parents accessing meaningful employment and moving out of poverty. We would ask all 8,000 lone parents that receive the questionnaire to complete it and return it to One Family. We also want to emphasise that all responses will be treated in the strictest confidence”
One Family believes that the research currently being conducted will highlight the areas of support needed and the real challenges facing lone parents. “It is important that lone parents’ voices are heard in the consultation process before decisions affecting their families’ lives are made at a national level. We know that this research will provide a further insight into the experience of lone parenthood and an opportunity for decision makers to hear what lone parents have to say”, Ms. Murphy said.
For further information please contact
Catherine Joyce, Communications Manager 01 664 0125/ 086 343 2542

One Family, the national organisation representing one-parent families in Ireland, welcomed the High Court’s judgement on the Mr G case on 11 September 2007.
Karen Kiernan, Director, One Family said: “While the judgement is complex and needs to be considered carefully, the tone of it is that the quality of the relationship between father and child is what matters.”
Ms. Kiernan continued: “For many years One Family has been calling on the Government to recognise that it is the quality of the relationships between parents and children that matters rather than legal structures. Today’s judgement has vindicated this view and once again has demonstrated how Ireland’s Constitution is out of step with both international legislation and the reality of family life.”

Martin Cullen T.D., Minister for Social and Family Affairs launched the One Family Annual Report 2006 on 5 September 2007. The publication of One Family’s report is timely in relation to the upcoming judgement by the High Court on the Mr. G case.
Speaking at the launch, Karen Kiernan, Director One Family said: “The G case and a number of other recent cases highlight the need for the Constitution, Irish law and services to reflect the diverse family forms living in Ireland today. It is no longer acceptable for the rights and responsibilities of parents and children to be largely determined by whether they live in a traditional married family or not.”
One Family is the leading provider of specialist support services to one-parent families in Ireland and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. The organisation has long been concerned at the lack of support services for families going through transitions and the huge lack of provision for children in family law processes. Karen Kiernan added: “There is also a lack of services for families after they have been through a separation or divorce and find themselves in lone or shared parenting situations.”
One Family has developed a range of services for all members of one-parent families, including Parent Mentoring and Adult Guidance services. These services provide individual and group support for lone parents, both men and women parenting alone, sharing parenting or who are seeking access to their children. Ms. Kiernan commented: “Fathers often face their own unique set of challenges in parenting alone, which may differ from the experiences of mothers. This can include difficulties building relationships with their children if they don’t have primary care or regular access. It is important that fathers are aware of the supports available to them from One Family. Our individualised Parent Mentoring and Counselling services can be particularly helpful to fathers in strengthening their relationships with their children and we encourage fathers to access these services”.
Addressing the need for support services for all members of one-parent families in post-divorce or separation situations, One Family, assisted by the Family Support Agency, is currently carrying out research into Child & Family Contact Centres in Ireland. This research aims to inform Government of the needs of families around shared parenting. Karen Kiernan said: “Government need to take into account that families in modern Ireland are frequently in transition and require specialist supports to enable all parents to provide the best life for their children. One Family will be calling for support to pilot and mainstream Child & Family Contact services in Ireland once our research is complete”.
One Family’s Annual Report 2006 highlights the need for greater resources to support specialist services for one-parent families. The report showed a 10% increase on the uptake of the organisation’s services in 2006, with nearly 6,500 one-parent families and professionals accessing information and support.
For further information please contact
Catherine Joyce, Communications Manager, 664 0125/ 086 343 2542
Karen Kiernan, Director, 662 9212/ 086 850 9191


The Sunday Tribine published One Family’s letter responding to the comments of Mr. Brian Mooney in an article that appeared on 26 August 2007. The following letter was published on 2 September

Lone parents need support, not criticism From Karen Kiernan

ON BEHALF of our thousands of clients and members, One Family would like to express its surprise and disappointment at an article in last week’s Sunday Tribune. In this article Brian Mooney, described as former president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, expresses a number of views on what are described as single parent families. He expresses unsubstantiated and very disturbing opinions that ‘lone mothers’ are emotionally abusing their teenage sons and causing their daughters to self-harm.

Would Mr Mooney’s position not be better used to call for support for families facing parenting challenges and for proper research on the impact of changing family realities on children in Ireland?
We are also concerned that the Sunday Tribune would publish such views without allowing for any balancing views to be expressed. The result of such irresponsible journalism is to increase the stresses experienced by many lone parents who are doing their best and to perpetuate a negative and erroneous image of one-parent families in Ireland today.
We were disappointed that Mr Mooney went on to promulgate similar views in a piece on Today with Pat Kenny on Wednesday 29 August rather than to use this second interview to provide a more balanced view.
In over 35 years of working with one-parent families we have always found that parents strive above all else to do what is best for their children. Such families need support and respect not criticism and condemnation, a view one would expect to be endorsed by an experienced guidance counsellor.
Karen Kiernan, Director, One Family, Cherish House, 2 Lower Pembroke, St Dublin 2.

One Family Director, Karen Kiernan, appeared on RTE Prime Time on 12 June 2007. Karen spoke about lone parents and father’s roles in their children’s lives.

Click here to view the segment.

One Family honours Mary Robinson at

35th Anniversary Celebratory Lunch
Our 35th Anniversary celebratory luncheon took place on 22 May 2007 in St. Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle. Founders Maura O’Dea Richards and Annette Evans Hunter were delighted to meet up with former board member Evelyn Forde and former administrator, Nuala Feric. The highlight of the afternoon was an inspirational speech delivered by our former President. Guests included Senators David Norris and Feargal Quinn, Mary Banotti MEP, Ivana Bacik as well as many former and current board members, staff, clients and supporters. More
Our 35th Anniversary celebratory luncheon took place on 22 May 2007 in St. Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle. Founders Maura O’Dea Richards and Annette Evans Hunter were delighted to meet up with former board member Evelyn Forde and former administrator, Nuala Feric. The highlight of the afternoon was an inspirational speech delivered by our  former President. Guests included Senators David Norris and Feargal Quinn, Mary Banotti MEP, Ivana Bacik as well as many former and current board members, staff, clients and supporters.
Mrs Robinson was presented with a bespoke bracelet at the lunch, which was designed and created by internationally renowned jewellery designer, Melissa Curry. The bracelet was enclosed in a bespoke satin and velvet pouch crafted by textile and accessory designer, Helen James who attended the event.

Melissa Curry’s inspiration for the bracelet came from Mary Robinson’s unfailing support of vulnerable women and families throughout the years. The bracelet consists of a string of freshwater pearls punctuated with 18ct pink gold beads and a trio of hearts, which align to form a silver locket. The first silver heart in the trio includes an emerald, (Mary Robinson’s birthstone), while the second heart is a pink gold stencil of the One Family logo, (an adult and child reaching up to a star symbolising the supportive and aspirational qualities of the charity). The third silver heart includes 35 stipples, (inspired by the Ardagh Chalice), representing the 35 years of the charity, as well as the former name of the charity, Cherish, engraved on the front.

There’s More to this Election than Stamp Duty –
We Still Need a Fair Deal for One-Parent Families
One Family today presented its Election Manifesto to Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan, TD.

At the launch Karen Kiernan, Director of One Family, called on all parties to commit to the development of Child & Family Contact services throughout Ireland.

Senator Mary Henry, President of One Family, said “I call on my colleagues to ensure the best for all families regardless of circumstances. I urge the next government to give expression to such a commitment by funding One Family to pilot an innovative Child & Family Contact Centre and the delivery of One Family Futures Programmes for lone parents wishing to participate in the labour market. “

Karen Kiernan, Director, added, “As an organisation which has worked closely with one-parent families in a period of enormous change in the social fabric of this country, we are uniquely well positioned to further develop a range of supports for such families. With funding from a government that has bursting coffers due to Ireland’s welcome prosperity, we know that we can affect enormous positive change in the attitudes, experiences and lives of the growing number of one-parent families in Ireland”.

In its manifesto One Family reminds all politicians that over one in 5 families with children under 20 in Ireland today are now one-parent families (Census 2006). These families are four times more likely to live in poverty than the population as a whole, while many fall short of achieving their potential in terms of education or employment.

One Family’s Election Manifesto also calls on the next government to commit to:

-ending poverty among one-parent families through raising state supports for families that need them, introducing a range of educational initiatives and providing positive employment opportunities for lone parents based on agreed and binding rights and responsibilities.

-addressing the inequalities experienced by children in one-parent families through ensuring that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

-supporting the diversity of one-parent families and ensuring respect and equality for all family types in the Irish constitution and in relevant legal and policy developments.

Candy Murphy, One Family’s Policy & Campaigns Manager said,
“One Family calls on all politicians engaged in the election to ensure that the needs of one-parent families are prioritised in the next programme for government.”

ENDS

Full copies of the One Family Election manifesto are available by calling
01 662 9212 or from our website: www.onefamily.ie

For further information please contact:
Karen Kiernan, Director, One Family at 01-6629212 or 086-850-9191

_____________________

Notes to Editors

This launch forms part of One Family’s election campaign. We have already advised all politicians and political parties of the content of our manifesto and have sent copies to all members of can*, our campaign and advocacy network, along with suggested questions for them to ask their local candidates.

One Family Futures is part of the holistic One Family services model that specifically supports lone parents to move towards education, training and employment.

One Family’s planned Child and Family Contact Centre will provide a space to support quality relationships between children and their parents, particularly after divorce and separation.

Photo of Minister Lenihan being presented with the Election Manifesto by Karen Kiernan, Director and children Tilly and Louie Lyons and Laoise O’Connell is available.

Leading one-parent family organisation One Family today held a seminar on children’s rights in the divorce process. On the tenth anniversary of divorce in Ireland, the seminar is a real opportunity to increase our understanding of children’s experience of divorce and how their needs can best be reflected in the legal process of divorce. ‘Families must be supported before, during and after divorce if we are to ensure the best outcomes for children’ said Candy Murphy, One Family’s Policy & Campaigns Manager.

The recently appointed Family Court Reporter Carol Coulter and the well-known barrister Inge Clissman SC will speak from their different perspectives about how children have experienced divorce in Ireland to date. This will open the debate about glaring gaps in the current system and the failure to enforce and resource legal protections for children.

One Family calls on the Government to ensure that the right of children to be heard in the divorce process is genuinely respected and that adequate resources are committed to ensure that the child’s right can be effectively realised. In particular, resources are required to ensure that the guardian ad litem service proposed in Section 28 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (as amended by the Children Act 1997) will be available to represent the independent interests of children in divorce cases. [i] Although the child has a theoretical right to be heard in such cases, the procedures and resources necessary to realise this right remain lacking.

‘Without the necessary commitment to ensure children’s voices are heard’ said Candy Murphy, One Family’s Policy & Campaigns Manager, ‘such legal protection remains empty rhetoric. This seminar will provide the legal professionals and policy makers of today and of the future with the opportunity to hear from Scottish legal expert Rachael Kelsey about how Scotland has worked to ensure that children’s voices are genuinely heard.’

The seminar will also show how the radical effect of EU regulations on divorce in Ireland must be urgently addressed. ‘Having children’s rights is not sufficient, they must be capable of being enforced’ says Geoffrey Shannon, Government-appointed Special Rapporteur for Children. ‘Under the Brussels II Regulation, access orders handed down in one member state may only be recognised and enforceable in another member state if the child is heard in the country of origin. At the moment, no formal procedure or supports have been put in place to enable the Irish courts to implement this obligation. So, for example, an Irish access decision would only be recognised in Austria if the Irish judge held a hearing with the child in person.’

Commenting on the seminar One Family Director Karen Kiernan said, ‘I am delighted that the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform has demonstrated his commitment to our seminar and the opportunity it provides to debate the issues surrounding divorce and children in a way that will inform future policy in this area.’

Ms Kiernan went on to say ‘we call on the Government to ensure that this commitment leads to real change for children and families going through divorce. A key step would be to fund One Family to use its 35 years’ of experience working with families to expand its services and develop a child contact centre which will work to support children in their right to have access to both parents.’[ii]

ENDS

For further information or a copy of the full submission contact:
Ruth Coleman, Communications Manager 01 662 9212/086 174 2315
Candy Murphy, Policy & Campaigns Manager 01 662 9212

[i] The right of children to be heard is also enshrined in Article 12 of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child:
‘1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.’
[ii] The right to know and, as far as possible, be cared for by both parents is enshrined in Article 7 of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
‘1. The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and. as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.

2. States Parties shall ensure the implementation of these rights in accordance with their national law and their obligations under the relevant international instruments in this field, in particular where the child would otherwise be stateless.’

National one-parent family organisation One Family today were disappointed with the dismal increase in the top-up payment targeted at those with children dependent on social welfare – the first increase to the Child Dependent Allowance (CDA) for 12 years.

Commenting on the increase Candy Murphy, One Family’s Policy Manager said ‘while we welcome a move away from an exclusive focus on general Child Benefit to one which specifically targets the families most in need we are concerned about the lack of real difference this will make. The nature of the increase means that children in one-parent families who are the poorest family type, will only receive a paltry €2.70 increase in Child Dependent Allowance per week. We are also disappointed that the Budget does not include a top-up for all low-income families. The long-term key to breaking the cycle of poverty is a targeted top-up payment for all low-income families, irrespective of whether they are claiming social welfare or working in low-paid employment.’

The additional support for low-income families with school going children in the form of increases in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is welcome. However, the low take up rates for this and the Family Income Supplement mean that this support will fail to reach many of the families who need it most. Such payments should be made automatically to all families who are entitled to them.

One Family are disappointed that this Budget once again failed to recognise that supports are vitally needed for families going through separation and divorce. The organisation had asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to make provision for the establishment of a number of pilot child and family centres to provide information and support to the families and children experiencing such a difficult time.

‘While we welcome individual moves such as the long-awaited increase to the top-up payment for families dependent on social welfare’, said Ms Murphy, ‘we are disappointed that this Budget fails to present a coherent strategy to address the interlinking reality of family change and financial hardship facing many one-parent families in Ireland.’

Download a copy of One Family’s Pre-Budget Submission here or call 01 662 9212

National one-parent family organisation One Family today called on the Government not to forget that in a time when the coffers are full, many one-parent families continue to struggle in a vicious cycle of poverty.

Commenting on tomorrow’s Budget, One Family’s Policy & Campaigns Manager, Candy Murphy stated that ‘poverty is no longer an issue of there not being enough to go around, it is a denial of basic human rights. While overall poverty levels have decreased marginally one-parent families were almost a third more likely to have been without heating during 2005, than in 2004, and the number of one-parent families unable to afford a warm waterproof coat almost doubled during that time (EU-SILC, 2005).’

This Budget looks to be focusing on issues of stamp duty and higher-level taxation, rather than focusing on the poorest families and children. ‘In order to lift vulnerable families and children in Ireland out of consistent poverty’, Ms Murphy continued, ‘the Government must provide a coherent package of targeted supports for one-parent families and other low-income families. The key to breaking the cycle of poverty is a targeted top-up payment for all low-income families, irrespective of whether they are claiming social welfare or working in low-paid employment. As this is unlikely to be part of tomorrow’s Budget, it is vital that the Child Dependent Allowance, which is the top-up payment currently available to families on social welfare, is increased to €40 a week if it is to have any real effect on the poverty experienced by many one-parent families.’

One Family are also hoping to see the significant increases in the One Parent Family Payment, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowances, the Fuel Allowance and the Family Income Supplement, as well as free medical cards for all children.

Budget 2007 must also address vital issues for families, including:

* providing adequate supports to assist families experiencing family breakdown and new family formation;
* recognising and supporting the role of parenting and shared parenting in one-parent families; and
* commissioning research on the rights and needs of non-marital families.

Download a copy of the One Family Pre-Budget Submission here or call 01 662 9212

ENDS

For further information or a copy of the full submission contact:
Ruth Coleman, Communications Manager 01 662 9212/086 174 2315
Candy Murphy, Policy & Campaigns Manager 01 662 9212