She said if “a credible and bankable commitment from the Government on the delivery of such a system of childcare by the time of this year’s budget is not forthcoming the measure will not proceed”.

However, Treoir believes a “commitment” to introduce is not sufficient. We will need evidence that the good, affordable childcare is actually in place before the measures can be considered.

This is indeed good news and in no small way is a result of campaigning by Treoir and many other organisations and individuals. The intensive campaign by OPEN “7 is too young” supported by Barnardos and the National Womens Council was particularly effective.

Treoir wrote to every TD and Senator to urge them to oppose Section 4 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012.

Treoir has written to every TD and Senator to urge them to oppose Section 4 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012. If enacted, this would mean that lone parents whose youngest child is over 7 years would be ineligible for One Parent Family Payment (OFP) from 2014.

OFP recipients will then have to move to Jobseekers Allowance (JSA).  As JSA is only paid on days not worked at all, this is not suitable for many lone parents who may work part time e.g. each morning when their children are at school.