Equality ConferenceHodson Bay Hotel

AthloneMarch 2010

(Reference Frances Byrne OPEN )

The two parent family based on marriage

The two parent family- co-habiting

The one parent family

Grandparents rearing children

Who else?

Parent(s) with children in another country

Children with parent(s) in another country

LGBT headed families

Are childless couples a family?

Are two siblings sharing a household a family?

Are an aunt/uncle or nephew/niece sharing a household a family?

2008 Statistics

75,065 births

50,221 within marriage

24,844 outside marriage, of these more than half (12,859) were to co-habiting parents

Rights of families and members of families

Respect and recognition of all family types

Strong poverty link with family status

Sanctions unequal treatment of families NOT based on marriage

Fails to protect children born outside marriage

Immigration policy on family reunification mirrors constitutional provisions

Partners can be excluded from hospital and other settings

Unmarried fathers have to seek guardianships of their children

Relationships between lesbian and gay couples not recognised in law

LGBT couples and lone parents can’t adopt

Social welfare system based on ‘male breadwinner’ model