asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated number of unmarried mothers in Dublin with children; if they are in receipt of any form of Government assistance; and, if not, whether the Government will consider introducing legislation to provide such assistance and other facilities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unmarried Mothers.
25.
I have no information which would enable me to make such an estimate.
There is no specific assistance payable by my Department to unmarried mothers, as a class.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, those of them who are insured persons and who fulfil the usual conditions are entitled to payment of increases in respect of children in addition to their personal rates of benefits. An unmarried mother who has a dependent child or children living with her is also entitled to children's allowances.
Like any person who is in need, an unmarried mother can have recourse to home assistance.
I might add that the position of unmarried mothers is under consideration in the context of the proposals which I am sponsoring for the reform of the social assistance services including home assistance.
The Minister will agree that there is need for reform in this particular sphere?
Which particular sphere?
In helping unmarried mothers by providing them with facilities in addition to payments. For instance, there are no facilities available where children could be cared for while the mothers go to work.
It is not clear that the best manner of dealing with this problem is by making a separate category of these people. The Deputy will appreciate that there are many married mothers also who require facilities of the kind he has mentioned.
The Minister will agree that the category to which I refer are those who have the least advantage in our society?
To assist them does not necessarily require that they be treated separately.
The Minister realises that they are disadvantaged people?
The Deputy and I are not quarrelling in what we are saying.