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

We spoke about the SILC report earlier. There have been slight improvements in poverty levels but does it not worry the Minister that in respect of some indicators for lone parents, it is moving in the opposite direction? For example, the risk of poverty for lone parents increased from 36.2% in 2015 to 40.2% in 2016. There have been slight improvements in the other indicators but the fact still remains that one in four lone parents in this country are still living in consistent poverty and more than one in two are experiencing deprivation. When I read the Indecon report, it seemed to suggest that the changes brought about by Deputy Burton in 2012 gave rise to an increased probability of risk of poverty. As Deputy Brady alluded to, what we have been doing since those changes were introduced is bringing in incremental measures here and there to alleviate the consequences of what was done in 2012. Would it not be simpler and more efficient, and I suggest just as cheap, to revert to the 2012 situation? Has the Minister any figures regarding what it would cost to revert to the 2012 situation?

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