The Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin made a royal sweep down the stairs to announce to the nation that lone parent allowances are to be phased out.
It’s not a financial issue she glibly lied; it’s a social policy issue. She gave three reasons for this new ‘social policy’.
The child of a lone parent is four times more likely to be in poverty than in any other family.
The lone parent herself is most unlikely to take up full time employment because she becomes quite attached to the social welfare payment.
The payment mitigates against stable relationships and marriage.
Am I getting over sensitive or is this an incredibly arrogant and patronizing attitude towards those receiving welfare allowances?