CALL FOR GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNISE NEEDS OF GALWAY LONE PARENTS

Date Published: 12-Nov-2007

Government policy is going to force lone parents in Galway back into the workplace without consideration of the difficulties they face.

The Government is planning to make it compulsory from next year for lone parents of children over six years to become job-seekers.

It’s causing consternation among parents, most of whom are already more than willing to work according to the country’s first study on lone parents published in Salthill today.

The research reveals a lack of affordable childcare and family-friendly employers are the biggest obstacles to getting a job.

The NUIG Child and Family Research Centre and the One Parent Family Research Steering Group surveyed over 3,000 lone parents in the city and county with just 22 per cent answering the survey.

Chair of the One Parent Steering Group Elaine Harvey is calling on the Government to recognise the needs of lone parents if they are to re-join the workplace and raise a child on their own:

Head of the NUIG research team Dr Michelle Millar says rental supplements are another barrier for lone parents getting back into the workplace