Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I fail to understand the strategy being pursued, given that the Minister has stated her objective is to get lone parents back to work, which is reasonable and correct. However, there must be support mechanisms in place to allow this to happen. Therefore, transitional arrangements are important, as there is a limited number of jobs available. Without child care and transitional payments, returning to work for lone parents is incredibly difficult. I do not understand how this measure sits side by side with the Minister's philosophy as outlined yesterday. It appears to me as though it simply is a money-saving exercise rather than a policy position or decision regarding a strategy to get people back to work.

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