SPARK is a campaign of group of
single parents that came together after Budget 2012 to oppose Minister Joan
Burton's cuts to the One Parent Family Allowance. This budget which was to be
implemented up until 2017, has seen single parents cut more than any other
section of society.
Parents with children over seven years old have been cut
off OPFA without any childcare provided. The income disregard for working lone
parents has been cut from €146.50 to €90. These changes have made it harder for parents to enter the
workforce. One parent families have the highest levels of poverty in Ireland,
and 63% suffer two or more forms of deprivation on a regular basis. The knock
on effect of multiple cuts such as rent allowance, Back to School Allowance
with cuts to the lone parents allowance has resulted in a spike of many seeking
help from charities. Prior to Minister Burton’s cuts 60% of lone parents were
in some form of employment, this has now been reduced to 36%.
In 1997 a
single parent could claim OPFA up until their youngest was 18 years old, or 22
if in full time education. The income disregard in 1997 was €146.50 and
never increased over the boom years. To put this into context in 2017 the
income disregard will be €90 and a parent can only claim OPFA up to age seven. This means
one parent families are clearly worse off than they were 20 years ago.
SPARK recognise that the OPFA
system had many poverty traps and failures, but such severe cuts without
adequate childcare, social housing and other supports is adding to child
poverty.
SPARK will be over the election
period running a campaign to get lone parents registered to vote. They will
also put forward a questionnaire to all candidates and parties to see who
supports proposed recommendations for one parent families. Those who support
and those who don't will be rated by SPARK to highlight to lone parents who
will work for them when they cast their vote.
SPARK fully endorse PBP Alliance
for their continued support, and rate them as a party to vote for in GE16.