Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Chairman and the clerk of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children which held hearings in the Chamber over the past three working days. It was very good use of the Chamber. The hearings were comprehensive. I attended as a substitute member for most of the hearings, and many colleagues were also in attendance. We had very constructive engagement on the heads and scheme of the protection of life during pregnancy Bill. We heard very compelling arguments from the legal and medical experts who gave of their time voluntarily to give us the benefit of their expertise. We should all acknowledge this and how much it is appreciated. I look forward to the debate on the Bill which we are likely to have before the end of the session. I look forward to changes being made, in particular to head 19 on the criminalisation of those who seek to procure termination of pregnancy in the State. Concerns were expressed by people on both sides of the argument and people of various views about the level of the penalty and the way in which pregnant women and girls would be criminalised. We may see engagement on this.

I welcome the publication of the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013. The Minister, Deputy Burton, proposes to introduce a new jobseekers' transition scheme which will be a progressive scheme to deal clearly with concerns expressed in the House during debates on social protection about changes to the lone parent's allowance which disadvantage recipients. The new scheme is extremely welcome. It will exempt lone parents from the full rigours of the requirements to be available for full-time work which apply to those seeking jobseeker's allowance but will allow lone parents access activation plans for return to education, upskilling and training. It recognises that many lone parents are not in a position to seek full-time work but would seek part-time work. It is a very progressive scheme and is welcome. I look forward to debating it in the House.

With regard to the Minister, Deputy Shatter, I am one of the many people who thinks he has questions to answer on the use of information concerning Deputy Wallace. I absolutely agree with this. I am glad questions were put to him in the other House yesterday and that he made a statement. I also understand Deputy Wallace has made an application for further investigation to the Standards in Public Office Commission, and this is appropriate and correct. As we all do, I look forward to seeing what the outcome of the inquiry will be.