Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

While I will not go back over the points I already have raised, I asked the Minister a couple of specific questions. I specifically asked whether she would give a commitment to Members today that there will be no changes to the free preschool year during the term of the present Government. In her response to Members, the Minister mentioned how many other jurisdictions withdraw lone parent payments much earlier in the life of a child. While that is fine, the Minister mentioned this point on the basis of those child care supports that already are in place. I refer to her statement in Dáil Éireann last week that she would not implement these changes to lone parent payments until she perceived that adequate, sustainable child care facilities were in place, particularly for lone parents. While she put it up to her Cabinet colleagues in this regard, those words now ring desperately hollow on the basis of her response in this Chamber. If this Bill is passed on Monday, it will bring into effect these changes from 3 May, regardless of whether she likes it or not. Put simply, the Minister stated in the Dáil last week that she would not implement this measure and put it up to her Government colleagues to bring forward sustainable, viable and affordable child care. However, she has confirmed in her response today that 170 families, which I acknowledge to be a small number, will be affected by these changes next year and that this number will increase further. New lone parents also will be affected by these changes.