Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

We have moved on some of the income areas which have made a considerable difference. We all agree that the measure that led to the greatest level of stability and the greatest number of options for many families was the removal of the cohabitation issue, whereby the partner was not supposed to be living in the property. This issue led to considerable instability, particularly for young children where the presence of both parents working together was required to assist each other. The change in the rule is substantive.

The Deputy raised issues on implementation, as I have done. Clearly, the Office of the Minister for Children is involved, as is the Department of Education and Science. There is a specific group in place. I have now stated we will have a pilot scheme in Coolock in Dublin starting in the next month or two, as well as in Kilkenny in two centres. They want to do this to ensure the appropriate structures will be in place. There would be no point in rolling out a national scheme if we were unsure whether it would work and achieve the desired outcomes. The outcome we want is to facilitate lone parents in returning to the workforce in a meaningful way that will allow them to earn as much as they can and also to facilitate them in getting their children into a happy schooling environment or some lone parents to return to the education system. It is a complex structure involving many of the different bodies involved. I can only move as quickly as the experts can. I do not claim to be an expert in this area. The senior group is working through the matter. Within the next month activation proposals will be tried in Coolock in Dublin and Kilkenny.

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