Jillian van Turnhout (Independent)

The Minister has compared the proposed position with that of other countries, but in reality, wrap around services are available and there is a smooth transition between the services in that they provide school meals as well as after-school care in other countries. We need to look at such a service in Ireland. Members have spoken about the provision of child care and after-school care. I accept Senator Bacik's comments on after-school care being available where her child goes to school, but there is probably a charge for it, as there is for all of these things. The reality is that after-school care is underdeveloped as the Minister has stated, but I hope we will develop this service.

I too spent the weekend thinking about the Minister's commitment to child care, like my colleague Senator O'Brien. I went through the Official Report to see whether the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has given a commitment to early childhood education care for the lone parents who will be in the new category. I could not find it on the record. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, is on record as making a commitment to the current free preschool year, and saying that she hopes to extend it to a second free preschool year. I cannot find a reference to the commitment to this vision. I know we are all trying to expand the child care supports but I cannot find a reference to it in the Official Report and I would have thought I would.

The Minister said also that the best route for the lone parent and his or her children is to become financially independent. As I said before, 80% of current recipients are in education or employment but there are problems with taking up work. The jobseeker's payment needs to be addressed because lone parents will want to work flexible half days for five days a week. I have a difficulty with the introduction of changes to the basis for payment of the lone-parent allowance on a phased basis. Even on a phased basis, reducing the age of a child for which the parent is entitled to the allowance will have an impact on children. If a person is bereaved and becomes a new recipient, he or she will be directly affected very quickly.

In analysing everything under discussion on Friday, I cannot understand the reason at this time to cease the payment of the lone-parent allowance when the child reaches seven years. Has a cost benefit analysis been done on the cut-off point for this allowance? Why was it decided to cease the payment in 2015 when the child reaches seven years of age? What saving will be made? Many of the parents involved will transfer to jobseeker's allowance and other benefits. We will be providing fantastic child care and after-school care which will cost the State money. I have no doubt that the early childhood care and education sector will be able to provide places and the capacity will be there, but it costs money. Where will the money come from to provide this service? Has a cost benefit analysis been done? Why are the changes being introduced in this manner?