Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

Does the Minister accept that the existence of the discussion paper is an admission of a comprehensive failure by Government in this area? Compelling lone parents to undertake employment will not solve poverty problems. No one wishes to live in poverty and the key area is the implementation plan. When will it come about? There is a need for a co-ordinated strategy and effective co-operation between all Departments. Will we force people into low-paid employment? Will necessary training be provided? Will a child care package and flexibility in work be examined? We can have all the grandiose views of today but the implementation plan is the key. We have failed lone parents in the past and the worry is that we are about to fail them again. Tinkering with the system will not work. Compelling lone parents to go down a particular road is a major worry. Does the Minister agree that lone parents should be given a choice to pursue education or employment? No one wishes to remain in poverty but that is the situation in which most lone parents and their children live.

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