Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

This issue was widely spoken about on Second Stage. In the absence of a child care provision and, given it would be illegal to leave a seven year old on his or her own, this section should be deleted and the matter dealt with when such child care provision has been put in place. Members have been contacted by many people about this issue, including by some of the organisations representing lone parents. There is much concern about the inclusion of this section and the uncertainty it provides for the individuals concerned.

One could be questioned by the HSE for leaving a ten year old on his or her own, never mind a seven year old. I do not understand how the Minister can include this provision in the Bill with a view to not enforcing it until such time as child care arrangements are in place in the absence of a Government guarantee, rather than, with due respect to the Minister, her personal guarantee that this is how this is to be pursued. I believe it would be safer to delete this section from the Bill.

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