"7 is Too Young" Campaign Press Release by OPEN, Barnardos and the National Women’s Counci
Published: Thursday, April 12, 2012
OPEN, Barnardos and the National Women's Council of Ireland have expressed serious concern at proposals to change the One Parent Family Payment (OPFP) outlined in the Social Welfare Bill, published today. The three organisations said that measures in the Bill to cease the payment of the OPFP to lone parents once their child reaches the age of 7 were regressive and counterproductive.
Frances Byrne, Director of OPEN, said: "We are dismayed that the age 7 is included in the Bill as the cut off point for parents receiving the OPFP. This is a regressive move that will increase poverty for lone parents and their children, who have already been hit by the disastrous cuts in Budget 2012. OPEN, Barnardos and the National Women's Council of Ireland are committed to fighting for the removal of this measure from the Social Welfare Bill over the coming weeks."