Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
95 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the strategic plan 2004-2006 from One Family, which calls for equality and social inclusion for one-parent families here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17708/04]
View answerI welcome the new stage in the development of this organisation, formerly known as Cherish and now renamed One Family, which has been providing, very effectively, support and empowerment for one-parent families for more than 30 years. Its overall aim now is to affect positive change and achieve equality and social inclusion for all one-parent families. Its strategic plan for 2004-06 sets out how it plans to achieve that aim through helping all one-parent families in providing for their basic needs, advancing their rights and working to affect positive change.
Prior to the release of the plan I met with the director of One Family and discussed with her the goals set out in the plan. I share the commitment of One Family to achieving equality and social inclusion for one-parent families. Its position and proposals will be fully taken into account in the strategy on supports for families being prepared for issue before end year, and in the ongoing context of the national anti-poverty strategy, given the vulnerability of this group to poverty and social exclusion.
Employment is the best route out of poverty. Reconciling work and family life is a major problem for one parent families. Priority will be given to further developing the supports given to lone parents who opt to work outside the home in enabling them to meet both the demands of work and care for family.
One Family offers a comprehensive range of professional services to one parent families, those experiencing a crisis pregnancy and those working with one parent families. I was pleased to be in a position to approve a grant of €4,000 this year under the scheme of grants for marriage and relationship counselling to assist in increasing its current capacity and the accessibility of its counselling services. I look forward to working with the organisation in light of its strategic plan on both policy development and improved service provision, and towards meeting their aims for one parent families of greater equality and social inclusion brought about by positive change.
