Single parents survey dismisses the myths
By Martine Brennan
Changing Ireland

NEW research has dismissed myths such as the idea that single parents do not want to work and all live in council housing. There are 800 families in receipt of the One Parent Family Allowance in the Greater Tralee area in Co. Kerry and now a survey conducted by the local Single Parents Initiative in Community and Equality (SPICE) has shown how single parents really live and highlighted their needs.
The survey found that 70% of respondents work outside the home and just 30% live in local authority housing.

Education levels among single parents vary considerably for every one with a third-level qualification; two more have a Junior Cert or no qualifications.
Single parents live in greater poverty than the average person, with three-quarters of the l4l respondents saying they are raising families on an annual income of €12700 or less.

The SPICE research - based on 141 returned questionnaires and 25 in-depth interviews - has already proved its worth because the group responsible are now getting more of a say in local development~ and has e more opportunity to debate issues in public.

Also, another half- dozen people have joined the group.
The survey and recommendations titled Local Needs-Local Action, was supported by Partnership Tra Li and the Tralee Community Development Project and was launched in November.

As one SPICE member said, "Our group has been going for ten years and finally we are being taken seriously. The research dispels many of the myths about lone parents. We are learning to he proud of how well we have reared our children in spite of the many obstacles we have faced. We want to make a better life for our children...

We are no different to all parents in this. This research is helping us to he heard,
helping to bring about changes for the better."
Since the launch, much has happened as a result.
Following the launch a lively debate began in the letters page of the Kerry man newspaper. Since then, SPICE has been consulted by the Kerry County Development Board in relation to its 10-year plan for the county.

Meanwhile, a return-to-work scheme called Engage 2001' was organised by SPICE in conjunction with FAS and Tralee Community Development Project which offers childcare, and takes school times into consideration.
The 141 postal questionnaires that were returned gave a response rate of 21%.
The questionnaire element, of the research was followed up through in-depth with 25 lone parents.

The research outcomes and recommendations were as follows:

Outcomes

Income and Poverty
Nearly 25% of respondents are raising their families on an annual income of €6,350 or less. Over 75% are raising families on an annual income of €12.700 or less.

Employment
Only 2% of respondents were never employed. 70% of respondent's outside the home but their incomes remain inadequate.

Housing
Over one fifth of one-parent families do not have their own homes and live with parents, relatives and friends, 30% live in Local Authority Housing.

Education
43% of all respondent have no formal qualifications or a Junior Certificate only.
22% of respondents have third level qualification.

Transport
65% of One-Parent Families do not own a car.

Childcare
Over half of the respondents do not use any form of childcare.

Recommendations:

Income and Poverty
1. Social Welfare payments should ensure that recipients do not live in poverty.

2. A lone parent can work and earn up to £115.35 and still receive a One Parent Family Payment on a sliding scale. However, the cut off point has not been adjusted since 1997. This needs to be addressed immediately

3. Pursuit of non-payment of a maintenance order is a stressful and costly burden on a lone parent. The inadequacy of this system needs to he addressed.
Maintenance should not be counted as means in assessments of welfare payments.

Employment
1. Lobby at national level to address the issue of loss of secondary benefits, which are key disincentives to employment.

Housing
1. Local Authority Housing stock needs to be increased so as to reduce waiting lists.

2. Income thresholds for local authority housing should he expanded. Rent increases can quickly swallow up any small increase in a parent's disposable income.

3. There is a need for more three-bedroom houses so those children of different genders can have rooms of their own.

4. Rent to buy schemes should be introduced.

Childcare
1. Incentives need to be put in place to encourage on-site childcare in education, training and employment settings.

For more information, contact: SPICE, do Tralee Community Development Project, Rock Street, Tralee. Tel: 066-7120877.