Michael Brennan (Progressive Democrats)

I thank Senators for a short but comprehensive debate. Most of the issues were raised on the floor of the House. I appreciate hearing them and will take them on board. Having had this debate there may be an opportunity for a similar debate in the Dáil. Following our forum, I propose to keep in touch with the lone parent associations as we develop legislation. During the course of the year I hope I can introduce legislation to give effect to the type of reforms contained in the report.

Senators have stressed the need for child care, education and training, and the importance of not stereotyping the role of fathers. Those issues are referred to in the report. The legislation which I hope to introduce, pending Cabinet approval, will tackle most of these issues. The role of fathers is a difficult area. Senator Tuffy is correct, and there are rights and responsibilities. Access is a major issue for fathers. Fathers' organisations say that is a major issue for them. I am not in favour of access being a quid pro quo, but I do not think the Senator has suggested that. Access is an issue that must be sorted because the child is entitled to have access to both parents, not the other way around. While that is not negotiable it is not the case in many relationships.

There is also the issue of child support coming from the father. Approximately 2,500 to 3,000 lone fathers make payments through the Department's system. That means that up to 60,000 do not make such payments. Frequently, it is not that they do not make payments but that we do not require them to do so. That is a subject for another debate. Some 30,000 lone fathers are working but are not making any payment. We do not require them to make a payment because their incomes are low. In other jurisdictions, even if the income is extremely low, some token is paid in order to make a social connection with the child. That is a topic for debate but I will not go into it now.

I thank Senators for a thoughtful contribution. On the matter of compulsory or voluntary engagement, I reassure Senator O'Meara that the reforms will encourage parents to engage before the child is aged five. That is voluntary. When the child is aged five, lone parents will be required to engage with facilitators, that is, to be available for discussion-information, and advice and counselling but they will not be required to work. When the youngest child is aged eight, the proposals envisage a full reform of activation but even that will be on a phased basis. Return to work will be on a phased basis and any drop-off in payment will be on a phased basis as the person re-engages with the workplace. It is compulsion with a small "c" at that stage. We shall progress these issues in the weeks and months ahead and I look forward to returning with legislation on this subject in the not too distant future.