asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any progress has been made on the proposals to provide additional financial assistance for single-parent families.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Single-Parent Families.
7.
Additional financial assistance for single-parent families was provided in the 1973 budget. This included a new scheme of assistance for unmarried mothers, a new benefit for deserted wives and a special addition of 15p a week in respect of each dependent child of a widow, deserted wife or unmarried mother over and above the increase of 50p a week granted to children of other social welfare beneficiaries. Further financial assistance flowed from the decision to relieve these categories of the necessity to pay the employees' share of an employment contribution while working. Single-parent families also benefited from the general increase in rates and the easing of the means test provided in the budget.
The position of single parent families will continue to be kept under review in connection with future development of the social welfare services.