Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I concur with Deputy Murphy. We were told that this legislation was a year in the making between departmental officials and Attorney General's Office. As I mentioned earlier, it was only published on 3 April. We were told last week by the Minister during the Second Stage debate that it was her wish that this would not be proceeded with until she obtained a bankable commitment on the child care issue during negotiations on next year's budget.

It is not intended that this provision will come into effect in the immediate future and there is not, therefore, any reason for it to be contained in this Bill. If the Minister wishes to introduce such a provision she can do so at a later date. It is not necessary for it to be included in this Bill. There is much confusion in regard to whether the Minister is for or against it, although she appears to be in favour of it today.

Children start primary school at approximately five years of age. This provision is in effect telling parents that they should be returning to work when their child reaches first class. Who is to take care of that seven year old when he-she comes home from school? According to this provision, there will be no one parent family payment in that household. Is this a job activation measure to encourage one-parent families back into the workplace, the general principle of which we commend, but when children are much older. The relevant age in this regard, as provided for in existing legislation, is 14 years when children are well established in second level education. To introduce such a provision in respect of children who are only in first class at primary school level is to neglect children. I am shocked we are passing legislation which, if implemented, could lead to child neglect. Who is to take care of the seven year old child when he or she comes home from school, which could be at 1 p.m? The lone parent could be a father or mother, who may not be able to put in place alternative arrangements. I do not agree with this. If the Minister is determined to introduce this provision I ask that she consider introducing it next year as there is no need whatever to do so now.

The Minister, when discussing this issue as part of the overall discussions on the forthcoming budget, should discuss it on the merits of the case. She should not be, as she has done, signalling in this House that she intends to pass legislation but not implement it unless the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, gives her what she wants next December. That is no way to pass legislation. It is also no way to treat lone parents or their children, who are so young they do not understand this. I suspect many lone parents do not understand it either. I ask that in the interests of fairness the Minister not go down this road. I am seeking the deletion of this section.

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