Lone Parents

• Germany • 20% of German

households are headed by lone parents

• 85% of lone parents are women

• 40% of lone parents families are living in poverty

• Ireland – 131,000 lone parent

families – 92.5% of lone parents

are women – 32.6% of lone parent

families are living in poverty

Welfare payments for lone parents

• Germany • Child benefit: €154 each

for first 3 children. €179 for each further child (per month)

• Child raising allowance: €300 per month for 2 years (depends on income)

• Maintenance advance if absent parent is unable to provide maintenance

• Ireland– One Parent Family

Payment: €148.80 per week and earnings disregarded

– Child benefit: €141.60 per month for the first 2 children

– €177.30 per month per child for parents with 3 or more children

ALG II (Hartz IV)

• Brings together the unemployment benefits and the social security benefits

• Lone parents get 100% of the ALG II (…unemployment money II) - €345 West, €331 East

• Additional payment for lone parents: 36% of ALG II - €124 West, €119

• Additional money for children – children under 14 years: €207 West, €199 East

– children from 14-17 years: €276 West, €265 East

Lone Parents and Employment

• Germany and Ireland

• Male breadwinner model (now changing)

• Women in paid employment

• Liberal welfare regimes Unemployed lone parents: Cork: 6.2%Nordhausen: .1%

Unpaid work in the home

• …I think we should all value parenting as employment but unfortunately society doesn’t value that as work…

• Should be valued and recognised

• Change in attitudes is needed

Lone Parents and Employment

• Germany • Decrease in payment

when child reaches 3 years

• Have to seek employment

• High levels of unemployment

• Ireland – Receive benefits until

child is 18 - no decrease

– Do not have to seek employment

Barriers to entering labour market

• Childcare in Ireland – Cost – Little State subsidies – Few places

• Childcare in German – Low cost – State provides subsidies – Enough places

Barriers to Entering Labour Market cont.

• Germany and Ireland – Employer’s attitudes and work policies “only

concerned with productivity and profit”

Early Start Preschool Project

• free preschool service funded by the Department of Education and Science

• situated in designated disadvantaged urban areas

• an intervention service for children at risk of educational disadvantage