Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This amendment comes down to cost for families. We are talking about the challenges for families and in particular for lone parents. We know that lone parents are one of the most vulnerable groups out there. In this budget we can see something that is quite strong, which is the measure around cost-of-living payments, especially those that will happen at the end of October. There are 1.3 million people who will benefit from those cost-of-living payments come 28 October. That bonus is very similar to the Christmas bonus. I also welcome the double child payments that will happen in November and in December. Looking outside of that - and I have spoken about it already - I believe that hot school meals, for example, is one element that will be a huge benefit for families looking after young children. Never mind parents not having the extra burden in the morning of trying to get the meals ready, which Senator Ahearn would speak to, it is probably also to do with the costs, which are so expensive. All of these measures are to support families and to support lone parents, and especially when children are so young. We are looking at early childcare supports as well. This raft of measures is there to support families. There is not one particular measure that is a solution. The Government is looking at all areas. This is a whole-of-government approach to say, "Here is a suite of measures that are there to support you as a parent, as a young mum, as a young dad, as a single parent. Here is how this Government is here to support you in this time". Those measures we are looking at are to benefit the most vulnerable in our society and in our communities. It is crucial to see that they are very welcome payments, and particularly around the child benefit increase of €12. The other support measures, such as free school books and the hot school meals, are all ways to reduce costs for young families as well.