Fianna Fáil promise to reverse cuts to single parents -if in power
Fianna Fáil's promising to reverse cuts to single parents - if they are part of the new Government.
The commitment was given in the party's election manifesto and spokesperson Willie O'Dea has said they intend to keep to it if Fianna Fáil ends up in the Coalition.
The Dáil will resume on Thursday where a vote will take place on the next Taoiseach - however it is expected that negotiations will take a number of weeks to complete.
Deputy O'Dea has said one of his first priorities if in power will be giving back to single working parents: What the Government did, what Joan Burton insisted in doing in relation to working lone parents, is absolutely unconscionable.
“Basically what she did was she changed the system in such a way that lone parents who were going out to work, will now be able to earn less, that they will be less well off than they were hitherto.
“There is absolutely no justification for that.”
Meanwhile Kerry Deputies Michael and Danny Healy Rae will decide this weekend on whether or not they'll back Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael in coalition negotiations.
The brothers are calling on the parties to commit to the creation of a Ministerial post for Rural Affairs in the next Government.
Deputy Michael Healy Rae has said he is not putting himself forward for the position - but is open to the responsibilities a member of the Dáil holds.
He says they will decide in the next 48 hours on who to give their support to: “We’re meeting with our own group on Sunday night.
“We will be seeking direction from our organisation, who will be telling us what their direction is, and we will be acting accordingly in a responsible fashion.”
