Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the change with regard to the starting date for the change affecting lone parents as this alleviates the situation slightly. However, I recall the Minister telling the Seanad last year that she would not make any further alterations in the age limits for children in respect of whom the mother can receive the lone parent's allowance, until such time as we had a Scandinavian-type child care system available in this country. With all due respect, while I welcome the postponement of the starting date, I do not think we will achieve a Scandinavian type child care system within those extra couple of months.

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