Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

This is not fair and is very draconian. It is disgraceful that it is being introduced by the Government at this stage.

The Minister also spoke about encouraging people back to work. However, benefits such as the back to education allowance are being cut and the type of child care that is required is not provided. We all aspire to the Scandinavian scenario but the Government is cutting back in these areas. This is no solace to somebody who cannot afford to buy nappies or put a loaf on the table because of these cutbacks. It was disingenuous not to address the major point in this issue. This is why I call for the measures with regard to lone parents in the budget to be withdrawn. They are very unfair and hit the most vulnerable people in our society.