David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

What is the Government's target for child poverty levels by 2007 and what will it achieve by then? Perhaps the Minister might confirm whether it was 2%, but it is now way beyond that figure. There are two payments to be considered here, the parental allowance and the second tier payment. Again, the Minister might recall that in his 2005 budget speech, made almost two years ago in December 2004, he spoke about the targeted second tier payment. Will he tell the House when he plans to introduce it or bring forward solid proposals in this regard? That is a fairly straightforward question. We have been talking about this for two years. When will we see action, or at least concrete proposals before the House, on the second tier payment?

The same question arises regarding the parental allowance. When will concrete proposals regarding this new allowance be brought before the House? It is like the pensions issue — there is a lot of talk, reports, discussions, reviews and bodies, but we do not see any action.

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