18/08/2015* 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

18/08/2015* 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: € per week and earnings disregarded –Child benefit: € per month for the first 2 children –€ per month per child for parents with 3 or more children

18/08/2015* 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 years: €276 West, €265 East

18/08/2015* 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%

18/08/2015* 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

18/08/2015* 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

18/08/2015* Barriers to entering labour market Childcare in Ireland –Cost –Little State subsidies –Few places Childcare in German –Low cost –State provides subsidies –Enough places

18/08/2015* Barriers to Entering Labour Market cont. Germany and Ireland –Employer’s attitudes and work policies “only concerned with productivity and profit”

18/08/2015* 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