Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I compliment Senator Zapone on the comprehensive contribution she made on her amendment. I also agree with the remarks of Senator Mooney. None of us on a personal level takes the Minister's word for granted.

I would half-heartedly agree with the compromise of a three year delay. When the previous Government, of which I was a member, reduced the age for eligible children from 22, particularly for those in third level, there was a huge furore and rightly so. I was very uncomfortable with that change. Now we are looking at reducing the cut-off point from 14 years to seven years.

The problem arises from the Minister's remarks in the Dáil. She said she would not agree to implement this change unless there were guarantees from her Cabinet colleagues to provide adequate child care. How does that sit with the fact the Bill makes these changes effective from 3 May? What happens? The Minister does not agree but were her remarks in the Dáil made with the approval of her Cabinet colleagues? I take the Minister at her word but that is not the way Government or Cabinet works. From reading the Bill, section 4 applies and will be implemented on 3 May 2012. The Minister's word and personal view, while I accept them, do not stand up. The Minister cannot introduce legislation like this and then say that as the Minister for Social Protection she will not allow this to happen unless there is adequate child care.

What is adequate, sustainable and affordable child care, particularly for lone parents? I asked before, when the previous Social Welfare and Pensions Bill was introduced at Christmas, if the Government would give a cast iron commitment to the free preschool year in the term of this Government and I am asking that question once more. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs says she wants to expand the scheme to two years. That would be great but how are we to know this will happen? If we vote for this and the Minister does not accept these amendments, it will introduce into law the changes the Minister says she is opposed to. That is a crazy situation.