David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

Are the pilot tests scheduled to take place in the autumn? Will these trials in urban and rural settings take months or weeks? Is it the intention of the Department to withhold publication of the legislation in this area until those tests have been completed? What is the current state of the legislation? We were informed a month ago that it was at an advanced stage, which is some kind of code.

When is it expected the new payments scheme will be operational? Has the working group with representatives from the main agencies been established yet? Which groups will be involved in the working group? Will extra facilitators be employed to deal with demands from lone parents? Does the Minister envisage the legislation will cover all aspects of the proposals, including the removal of the cohabitation rule? Will lone parents be included in the NEAP?

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