This pension provides extra payments for qualified children up until the age of 23, if the child is in full-time education. It’s peanuts in the context of children’s needs, but at least the fact that older children cost more is recognised. Well, you can say, those lone parents had a partner who paid over 260 PRSI credits, so they’re only getting what’s due to them. Where does that leave the children of parents who did not have a husband, wife, or civil partner who paid enough PRSI? It’s time to end the ritualistic humiliation of lone mothers and the impoverishment of their children by a system that robs fathers of all dignity.

Source: Irish Examiner July 17, 2019 23:03 UTC