Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be the first to say "sorry" to the Minister if I am wrong. Maybe he can use his time rather than mine but this is what I read in the information I have before me. I have tabled a number of parliamentary questions on this and Deputy Catherine Murphy has also tabled a question. Very little information has been given except to say that they will provide intensive individual support. The responses do not give any idea of the money paid to these private for-profit companies, how they will be assessed or who will monitor them. I can only go on what I have read in respect of their experience in England and it is not very good. It is something the Minister should really look at.

The cuts for lone parents were the most despicable ever made by a Labour Party in government. Even back in the 1980s, when social welfare was introduced for lone parents, or single mothers as they were then known, the importance of mothers and fathers having the chance to raise their children at home was recognised. The Fine Gael-Labour Party Government also changed the payment on a child reaching seven. I have a letter from a mother who has been put through the hoops in respect of a new payment. She has been told by Tusla that if she leaves her child unminded she will be in trouble. The new payment reads like something from Kafka on a bad day and I ask the Minister to look at it immediately and reverse it. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is not an organisation known for its left-wing leanings but it asks for this to be looked at. On page 2 of its document it calls for lone parents in employment, whose children are aged between seven and 14, to be allowed to receive both jobseeker's transition payment and family income supplement if they meet the qualifying criteria. It goes on to call for the transitional payment and payment of the SUSI grant. It is a document worth looking at; it is very short, very specific and to the point. How much time do I have left?

See this speech in context