One Family Seeks Government Funding for New Futures Program to Aid Lone Parents
One Family is appealing to the Government for funding to save its New Futures program, which supports lone parents in pursuing education and employment. The €2,500 per parent, eight-month program has a 75% success rate, but faces closure as existing funding expires. The organization highlights the program's vital role in combating poverty among lone parents.
One Family is urging the Government to fund its New Futures program, which helps lone parents access further education and employment. The program, established over two decades ago, faces closure due to its reliance on philanthropic and EU funding, which is set to run out in the coming months.
New Futures is an eight-month program costing €2,500 per parent, boasting an average 75% progression rate into education, training, and employment. Graduates like Rachel Pallin, Joyce Collins, and Louise McLean attest to its life-changing impact, enhancing confidence and skills. Pallin, who suffered from social anxiety, will begin a two-year Social Studies course in September to become a child advocate. McLean completed the online version, qualified in office administration, and will start a business course in September. Collins plans to pursue her dream of working with animals.
One Family emphasizes that New Futures provides crucial support for lone parents at high risk of poverty, helping them transition from social protection payments. CEO Karen Kiernan argues that €2,500 per parent is a small investment compared to the state's cost of social protection and poverty. The Department of Social Protection noted its 2021 partnership with One Family on an EU-funded pilot project and is drafting a new Pathways to Work Strategy (2026-2030) to support employment, which will consider resources for programs like New Futures.