The social welfare system discriminated against women, Fine Gael spokesman on social and family affairs David Stanton claimed.
He said it was based on the male breadwinner model, which reinforced women's dependence on men. "The economic dependence of women creates high levels of poverty, as shown by the CSO report, Women and Men in Ireland 2002, where 23 per cent were found to be living in poverty compared to 18 per cent of men. Older women, in particular, are at a high risk of poverty."
Mr Stanton said individualising the carer's allowance would help a great many more carers. Currently, only 14 per cent of carers were in receipt of the allowance.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan said he accepted there was a need to take more action regarding the position women found themselves in under the social welfare code.
"Poverty is more prevalent among women. One of the reasons, I suppose, is the proportion of those in receipt of contributory as opposed to non-contributory State pensions."
Labour spokesman Willie Penrose said it was important that lone parents be treated as individuals, not as dependent on someone else. It was also important that the structures and systems change to facilitate their full and equal participation. "The big issue is access to quality, affordable childcare. This is critical for lone parents who wish to participate in the labour market."
Mr Brennan said €500 million had been invested in the equal opportunities childcare programme. Almost 41,000 new childcare places had been created and by 2011 there would be 91,000.
There was the new childcare supplement of €1,000 per annum, he added. "However, I acknowledge that the subject of lone parents is a particular issue because we cannot get them back to work or training or education, if that is their wish, without addressing the childcare issue. We are working closely on these initiatives with other departments."
