Vol. 473 No. 3
186 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons in receipt of a lone parent's allowance; the number of people in receipt of maintenance from the second parent of their children; the plans, if any, he has to improve this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24951/96]
202 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current number of applicants in receipt of a lone parent's allowance and a deserted wife's benefit allowance; and the number of such recipients who are in employment and receiving full or reduced payments. [25180/96]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 186 and 202 together.
At the end of November 1996 there were 50,137 recipients of lone parent's payments, 37,587 were in receipt of the maximum rate and of these 2,086 were in employment. The remaining 12,550 were in receipt of reduced rate payments and of these 4,591 were in employment.
At the end of November 1996, there were 16,836 recipients of deserted wife's benefit and allowance payments, of whom 13,573 received the maximum rate and 3,263 were on reduced rates. Aggregrate information is not available on the number of deserted wives who are in employment. In addition, 48 people receiving the maximum rate of lone parent's allowance, and 4,534 receiving reduced rates, are engaged in community employment. Also, Department records indicate that about 50 deserted wives are employed on these schemes.
Information is not readily available on the number of deserted wives and lone parents who are receiving maintenance in respect of themselves or their children. Any steps to ensure a greater extent of maintenance commitment and compliance are primarily a matter for lone parents in the first instance, with legal options available to them through the courts under family law. They are required to make efforts to obtain maintenance as a condition of application for deserted wife's benefit or lone parent's allowance.
