Hanafin to withdraw benefits from unmarried mothers

In what is sure to be a controversial move the Department of Social and Family Affairs is planning to withdraw state benefits from unmarried mothers who cannot prove that they have been trying to meet eligible men.

Unmarried mothers in receipt of Social Welfare payments will have to provide proof of appointments with matchmakers or attendance at either the Mullingar or Ballybunion International Bachelor Festivals or the Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival in order to retain benefits.

“If they’re trying to find a man they’re fine,” a spokeswoman said. “We realise that some unfortunates will never find a man and that is also fine. We won’t penalise them for being hideous or for being the other thing… you know… lesbian. Sure we couldn’t do that.”

As matchmaking has nearly died out here Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin has arranged for Fas to introduce a matchmaking course. “”There are opportunities here for people who have lost their jobs to get back on their feet,” the spokeswoman said.

In preparation for the course, a team of Fas executives is to tour India studying matchmaking practices there. All unnecessary expenses will be receipted.

Tags: bachelor festival, Ballybunion, Department of Social and Family Affairs, expenses, Fas, Lisdoonvarna, matchmaking festival, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin, Mullingar, social welfare, unmarried mothers

This entry was posted on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 9:39 am and is filed under Politics, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.