Jillian van Turnhout (Independent)

There are better ways of spending the same money and getting better outcomes.

Many countries have been cited. A country I know well, the Netherlands, has policies designed for all children. My sister-in-law, who has an 11 year old and an eight year old, has wrap-around services and flexible working arrangements. A Dutch person will say he or she works 80% time or 40% time. We do not have that. I can go through all those countries and give examples, but our time here is precious today. We need to compare like with like. We should be debating this and I will happily debate it, but today is about the proposals before us.

The Minister stated we can do it on child care. There is no doubt we can, but it takes time and we must do it right. That is why we tabled this amendment. It is to give us some, although not enough, time. I outlined, both on Second Stage and previously in this debate, some of the challenges that will be faced. I will not repeat them.

It seems from this debate as though the 90,000 recipients of the one-parent support payment are sitting at home. Some 80% of them are in either employment or education. It is not that they are merely sitting at home waiting for the payment cheque. It is not that they are all of a sudden going to move. There is something creeping into the debate and I would fear that. They are trying to find alternatives but, between child care arrangements and running between X and Y, there is no flexibility in the job market. There is not necessarily even flexibility in the training for these parents.

I ask the Minister specifically to address the amendment we have moved. Lone parent organisations were sitting around the table with the Department, ready to discuss reform and, effectively, the rug was pulled out from under them.

The Minister stated the measure in the Bill affects a limited number, but the numbers will increase. As far as I am concerned, it still affects parents and children. Whether it is limited or extended, the effect will gradually snowball. It affects people. It is a serious matter and I want the Minister to address the amendment that we have moved.