Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that Deputy Murphy knows of and cares about many parents who are parenting on their own. The best outlook for such parents and for their children, whom they love and care for so much, will come from our assistance in getting them back into the labour force or into training and education, which will open up a life of opportunity for themselves and their children.

We have one of the highest rates of direct payments for parents and children in Europe. These figures are verifiable. Our risk of poverty is reduced by almost 50% more than even the richest of European countries because our level of transfers and payments is so high. I know that Deputy Murphy and many other Deputies would like to increase them.

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