On the basis that there would be a changed child care system.

Will the Senator, please, allow me-----

Will the Leader, please, address the issue?

If I cannot address the people outside the gates who cannot speak-----

Come on, the Leader cannot stand over this. I never stopped him from speaking.

People cannot speak without being given a reply.

This is an outrage.

Please allow the Leader to respond.

We have been on the Order of Business for 65 minutes.

Tá brón orm.

Prior to the reform of the one-parent family payment scheme, lone parents could have been on the scheme until their youngest child turned 18 years, or 22 years if in full-time education. The non-conditional nature of the payment, coupled with its very long duration, engendered long-term welfare dependency for many lone parents and their children. Supports for lone parents in Ireland have been out of line with international norms. There has been a move away from long-term non-conditional supports towards adopting a more active and supportive approach. In New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom the equivalent lone parent supports cease when the youngest child reaches the age of five years.

The Leader might also mention the equivalent child care schemes in place.

Senator Katherine Zappone asked that a working group be wet up to review the matter. That is something I will certainly raise with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. I heard Senator Mary White of Fianna Fáil condemn the cuts, but that is like the kettle calling the pot black.

We do not, actually.

It is a little rich for Fianna Fáil Members to shout-----

It is not.

-----having cut child benefit, supports for the disabled and blind people.

We introduced the free child care year.

Will the Leader, please, try to address the issue?

As usual, they are being hypocritical.

Fr. Peter McVerry-----

The Leader cannot stand over the cuts that have been made.

Please, Senator.