Madam, - It is universally recognised that Ireland in 2007 is a more diverse society. Certainly the Census 2006 results show an increase in both cultural and religious diversity. And for the first time, this Census offers a more realistic assessment of the numbers of one-parent families: 190,000, as the methodology measured families within families for the first time. The Census also showed a significant increase in co-habiting families: from 77,600 in 2002 to 121,759 in 2006.
During this, the EU Year of Equal Opportunities for All, the Immigrant Council of Ireland and OPEN, the national network of one-parent families, have received support from the Equality Authority to develop a programme of work in partnership with others to highlight family diversity in all its forms. We are seeking to establish May 15th - which has been the United Nations Designated Day of Families since 1994 - as an official day to recognise and celebrate family diversity in Ireland.
There are numerous examples of public information campaigns which have depicted only nuclear families in their images. This matters for those who do not "fit". In accessing public services such as education, health and housing, families who are headed by same-sex couples or by grandparents can experience difficulties which range from problems with completing forms designed with one family type in mind to outright discrimination.
Our desire to have the right to have all family types accepted within public services and provision is meant to extend rights only currently available to what is recognised as the traditional family prototype. It is not intended to undermine the rights of any families.
It is, of course, worth noting that within two-parent families based on marriage, there is diversity among family members, whether it is on the basis of age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, gender or race.
This year we'll see the groundwork and the formation of a coalition of interested parties formed. May 15th, from 2008 onwards, will be Family Diversity Day in Ireland. - Yours, etc,
FRANCES BYRNE,
CEO, OPEN, representing lone parent groups in Ireland,
DENISE CHARLTON,
CEO, the Immigrant Council of Ireland,
Smithfield,
Dublin 7.