NEW measures to encourage young single mothers to remain with their families rather than establish one parent homes would be introduced by the PDs in government, according to party leader Ms Mary Harney.
There are many anomalies in the social welfare system which actually encourage people not to get involved in "stable relationships", says the party's New Deal election manifesto, which was launched yesterday in Dublin.
Claiming that the family unit is not sufficiently supported by the State, the manifesto says that in some urban areas the extra marital birth rate is running at over 40 per cent.
If a young single mother wishes to be housed separately she can get between £280 and £400 a month towards rented accommodation, Ms Harney said.
"She would not get any of that money if she stayed living with her family. I am suggesting that an incentive should be given to remain with her family and some of that money should be used to provide backup parenting assistance and backup assistance that a young mother in that situation requires.
Denying that she was "going back to the bad old days" and "stigmatising illegitimacy", she insisted that she wanted to put support systems in place to assist the young mothers and their families. If there was an accommodation shortage in a family that would be a different issue.
The manifesto also emphasised a tough approach to crime and law enforcement, care for the elderly, an improved health service, education, the environment and agriculture.
Ms Harney emphasised that the Progressive Democrats would not dismantle the social insurance system and would not means test pensions. On Northern Ireland, the party says any long term settlement cannot be "purely internal" and there can be no change in the constitutional status until a majority of people there wish otherwise.
It proposes that a settlement should include "a new political order" with genuine parity of esteem and recognition for both communities; a written constitution, including a Bill of Rights; a maximisation of the degree of self government; new policing structures that would enjoy cross community support; and a North South dimension in areas of mutual interest.
The issue of abortion would be referred to the All Party Committee on the Constitution. The committee, now dissolved, would be reestablished. The manifesto promises an increase in the old age pension to £100 a week over the lifetime of the next Government.
Pointing out that they are strongly committed to the concept of private health insurance, the Progressive Democrats say they want a competitive market based on the fundamental principle of community rating. The VHI must have access to new sources of capital and expertise but the company could only survive and prosper if it was privatised or partprivatised.
On the hepatitis C scandal, the document suggests a blood service consumers' council on which both donors and recipients would be represented.
To improve the environment, the ban on smoky coal would be extended to all urban areas. It is currently limited to Dublin and Cork. The party promises substantial investment to improve water quality and proposes the phased installation of water meters in all houses up to 2010.