Katherine Zappone (Independent)

Echoing what Senator Byrne has just said, I do not believe the Minister has adequately addressed the amendment per se or explained why she will not put into law what she promised in the Dáil. In her responses so far, is the Minister claiming this will not affect many lone parents for the next several years and, therefore, it does not need to be put in the legislation? We would like if she addressed why she is not accepting this amendment which is giving a certain time, is a compromise and acknowledges her vision, commitment and great ambition in this area.

In her response and in the Dáil last week, the Minister referred to the importance of education and training, as well as providing work opportunities for lone parents. She quoted the ESRI research on children at risk of poverty which states the most critical issue is the education level of the mother. In her last response, she stated younger lone parents tend to stay closer to education than older parents. From my experience with An Cosán, an organisation that runs young women's education programmes for lone parents for several years, it appears there is a contradiction in policy or the Minister's ambition. An Cosán's programme was for two years and targeted young lone parents in the 18 to 23 year age group who were usually early school leavers. Over the eight years it was developed and delivered, it demonstrated a range of positive measurable outcomes. It also supported international research that highlighted there are better outcomes for all by having earlier and more active interventions with one-parent families. The programme cost €75,000 with €40,000 on the actual course and €35,000 for the early years education and care for the children.

In the past year, however, with the Department's Stepping Up programme being implemented, An Cosán was informed its programme could no longer run and that it is now Government policy to support older lone parents whose children are of school going age and are better placed to access education and training programmes. Effectively, we ended this programme for young lone parents and initiated one for older lone parents. That is the exact experience of a community education organisation that integrates education and training for lone parents with early years education and care for their children. This is a roadblock to some of Minister's commitments and vision that she outlined here this afternoon.