I have received representations from parents who will be affected by this week's changes to the one-parent family payment. I highlight mothers and fathers who are engaged in employment below the threshold of the 19 hours necessary to avail of family income supplement. I am aware of a specific case where a parent works for 15 hours spread over a five-day week in a local schools as a bus escort. As a result they cannot avail of jobseeker's benefit for the days not in work as their employment is spread over the five days. They cannot avail of family income supplement because they are at 15 hours and there is no prospect of increased hours due to the nature of their work despite the fact that they have offered to work the additional four hours on a voluntary basis. This parent is just below the threshold to qualify for family income supplement which would significantly increase their weekly income by almost €200 while continuing employment. The individual wants to work, but in this situation they may be better off on jobseeker's benefit where they can avail of courses and training to reskill or upskill. I understand this is a particular case, but I know that it is replicated across many counties, particularly with working parents employed on low-hours contracts in schools or other employment. We need to use common sense in such cases where a parent wants to work.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 11 be taken before No. 1 today.

I support what Senator Darragh O'Brien said about the rape crisis centres. I have no ulterior motive for it. It is a scandal. However, there is a bigger scandal.

Yesterday, Senator Darragh O'Brien attempted to propose an amendment to the Order of Business in respect of No. 67, motion No. 17 which deals with the one-parent family payment. Last night I watched Vincent Browne's show, during which he mentioned that out of 120 Government Deputies and Senators, not one was available to come on the programme to defend this scurrilous cut. I call on the Leader to be brave and organise a debate in the House before this change comes in. Let us discuss the exact implications for the lone parents. We hear a lot of old bleeding-heart stuff here about our concern for children and for the poverty-stricken in this country. I would love somebody on the Government side to have the courage to stand up here and explain how this will benefit the poverty-stricken of this country. Tomorrow I will propose the same amendment to the Order of Business as Senator Darragh O'Brien did and I ask the Government to respond with courage this time. If they are not able to face Vincent Browne, they should try facing the Opposition on it.