John Gormley
Ceist:37 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to address the anomalies that exist within the social welfare system in the area of deserted fathers. [2706/98]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Code.
The one-parent family payment which was introduced in January 1997 removed the concept of "desertion" from the social welfare code. Previous to this it was necessary for a woman to prove desertion which often led to intrusive questioning which was naturally upsetting and has now been dispensed with.
The one-parent family payment is available to men and women parenting alone, irrespective of how the situation of lone parenthood came about.