Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

What level of priority has the Government afforded to this matter? The Minister's predecessor announced this change in December 2005. We have almost reached the second anniversary of that announcement. At the time, it was expected that the change would be introduced during the following year. Does the Minister accept his predecessor's assertion that the aim of the review was to help people escape the poverty trap? If the latter is the case, why are will still discussing the matter two years later while people remain within that poverty trap? Does the Minister agree that family formation will not be facilitated while this matter remains on the long finger? Will he indicate a clear date by which we can expect real changes?

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