Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Senator Ardagh's co-operation in this regard. We are all keen to get this legislation through before the recess not so we can go on holiday, but so the measures that are due to kick in on 1 January do so, including an improvement in the disregards for lone parents. I appreciate the fact that the Senator will withdraw the amendment. I intend to feature the WFP and the changes to the home-maker's scheme in the 2018 budget and I commit to publishing reports on both issues within six months, well before the next budget, because it is clear from the debates in both Houses that Members want the WFP or something more for children than was provided in the next year's budget, and a measure to close the gap in pension provision for women and men. I will have those reports for the joint committee in the next six months and I will get something done on both issues in the next budget.