THERE was no doubt that mothers were the backbone of Irish society. They did an extremely important job. They should be independently rewarded for it and deserved a payment from the Department of Social Welfare, said Mr Denis Cregan (FG).
He was speaking on the second stage of the Social Welfare Bill, 1996.
The Bill was introduced by the Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare, Mr Bernard Durkan. This year's Bill went further than giving effect to increases announced in the Budget, he said. Some of the reforms included the provision for two new payments disability allowance and the one parent family allowance. The latter amalgamated the existing lone parent's allowance and the deserted wife's benefit "and will remove the concept of desertion" from the social welfare system.
He said the radical reform of unemployment assistance would make it more attractive for people to avail of part time work.
The second stage was passed.