Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wanted to see something in the Bill to help lone parents and piggybacked on the amendment tabled by Deputy John Brady. It is an important amendment. I wish to bolster the argument made for it. Disregarding the Minister's position on poverty levels, organisations such as Bernardos, Social Justice Ireland and SPARK, as well as the Crosse-Millar report, all emphasise that there is a continuum of child poverty rates among children of lone parents. The figure stands at 22.1%. It is 7.9% for two-parent families with fewer than four children. That figure was referred to in another report in 2014. We are talking about lone parents and a certain number of two-parent families. The issue has to be dealt with and needs to be reviewed continuously. I, therefore, urge the Minister to support the amendment. As stated, the issue has been discussed in committee. Three groups have attended to date and they have all emphasised the fact that there is no doubt that there is child poverty in this country and that we have to deal with the issue. While they welcome the increase in the income disregard and the Christmas bonus, the fundamental issues have to be challenged. I support the amendment and ask the Minister to support it also.