Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

We are trying to open up wider and better horizons for people who are parenting on their own and for their children. This will in time to come be seen as a positive step. The Labour Party improved second level education and increased access to third level education, both of which transformed Irish society in different decades.

There are 92,000 people in this country parenting on their own. This is not a savings measure. We are trying to move to a new structure of support that encourages lone parents to be financially independent and enables and empowers them and in so doing improves the outlook for their children. All researchers indicate that the outcomes for what we spend are not good enough. That is all I am saying. We all respect all parents and all children. Every Deputy in this House is committed to the welfare of all parents and all children.

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