Vol. 520 No. 1
38 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the specific steps he will take to deal with the problem of women living in poverty, particularly as the sole head of the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15015/00]
This Government has committed itself to the realisation of true equality for women and to ensuring that women can realise their full potential in Irish society. In a recent address to the national conference on the national anti-poverty strategy the Taoiseach singled out women's poverty as being one of the key issues to be addressed under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. In addition, one of the main principles underlying the NAPS is "the reduction of inequalities and in particular, addressing the gender dimensions of poverty" and a number of developments have taken place which aim, inter alia, to ease the burden on predominantly female-headed households.
A working group to examine the tax and social welfare treatment of married, cohabiting and one-parent families was established in May 1997. Underlying the necessity of such a review was a need to ensure fairness in the way that the State supports families of all types, while at the same time providing assistance for families who are at particular risk of poverty. This group's report, issued in August 1999, provided a valuable input into consideration of this area. Furthermore, a major review of the impact of supports for one-parent families is near completion and it is intended to make whatever changes are required to help lone-parents and their children avoid poverty traps and long-term dependency.
The introduction of poverty proofing across all Government Departments, which aims to assess significant policy proposals at design stage for their impact on the poor, is also a major step in this regard. Lone parents, older people, and single adult households are among the groups given particular attention in this process.
My Department also recognises that women, in both urban and rural areas, can experience particular problems arising from poverty and marginalisation and that women's groups and community groups have an important role in tackling these problems. Particular emphasis is placed in the various grant schemes operated by my Department on support for community-based initiatives targeted at disadvantaged women. Schemes of particular relevance in this regard are the community development programme, the family and community services resource centre programme, and the scheme of grants for locally-based community and family support groups. The pilot family services project initiative will provide information on parenting, including child care family mediation and other services available locally.
