Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I thank the Minister for his clarification that the person’s word on the 100-days residency requirement will be taken by the Revenue Commissioners, I still believe it should not be in the Bill. The Minister has explained the logic from the financial point of view. From a social point of view, it is an absolute disaster and a kick in the teeth for separated fathers. Let us call a spade a spade.

When I separated, that €1,650 single-person child carer credit kept food on the table for my children. Separated fathers cannot get social housing. I have met fathers whose children have had to smuggle them Christmas dinner from the family house as they sit in a cold flat at Christmas.

We discussed the role of women in politics and in the home one weekend recently at the Constitutional Convention. It is time for change but we must recalibrate the role of fathers in the family, particularly separated families. They are treated like dirt now. I accept the removal of this credit is a financial measure. Those officials working on the finances of the budget must not consider social issues as such. That does not mean they are callous but the measure is.

The Minister recognises there is a role for fathers, as he was amenable to an earlier amendment on this measure which went as far as he could go. Senator Darragh O’Brien is correct that this area is complex and, accordingly, needs to be considered more deeply from a societal point of view. Will the Minister consider, just as a concession, reducing the 100-days requirement? Will he look at it on Report Stage and see what can be done with it? I do not want conflict on this and I understand the Minister is trying to square a circle here.