It is expected that in July the majority of lone parents who make the transition from the one-parent family payment to a jobseeker's payment will be eligible for the jobseeker's transitional payment as their youngest child will be under 14 years of age.
The jobseeker's transitional payment exempts lone parents from the normal jobseeker's conditionality of having to be available for and genuinely seeking full time employment. The jobseeker's transitional payment also enables a lone parent to work part time without restriction, provided they satisfy the means test and to participate in education while receiving this payment. This allows these customers to balance their caring responsibilities while supporting them to engage in employment or education should they wish to participate.
Recipients of the jobseeker's transitional payment can also apply for the SUSI grant and, if eligible, this grant is not assessed as means by the department providing the maximum benefit to customers from that financial support which may help towards childcare costs.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs provides subsidised childcare for customers on Solas or education and training boards courses under the childcare education and training support programme.
The Department of Education and Skills provide a wide range of flexible education and training options including online options. Online courses delivered by Solas are designed to give a flexible response to the specific skills needs of individuals who require training interventions with certification to assist them to re-enter the labour market. Courses are available free of charge to unemployed clients.
