Childcare funding and provision
Deputy O’Reilly seeks major childcare reform and funding for vulnerable children and lone-parent services. The Taoiseach outlines the new subsidy scheme and directs detailed concerns to the responsible Minister.
I see that Daz and Surf are at it again, a Cheann Comhairle.
My question is in respect of the programme for Government commitment to alleviate pressures affecting household budgets in the area of childcare. I note the launch of the new national childcare scheme this week and the concerns that many vulnerable babies and children will miss out due to gaps in funding. My constituency of Dublin Fingal is the fastest growing area in the State and has the youngest population. Despite this, it faces an ongoing crisis in childcare provision and the reality that the Government has failed to get to grips with it. There are not enough places in Fingal. Many crèches will not take babies until they are a year old, which is impacting on women's ability to return to work. Having secured a place, families then face the equivalent of a second mortgage or second rent in fees. All the while, staff in the early years sector face low wages and job insecurity. The current system is broken. It is unsustainable for staff and financially crippling for many parents.
Comment on this
It requires a radical overhaul. Will the Taoiseach agree that wholesale change is long overdue in this area? We must put children's interests front and centre by prioritising quality and improving working conditions-----
Comment on this
-----while at the same time cutting childcare costs for parents. Will the Taoiseach also address the concerns of One Family, a support organisation for lone parents, which runs an early years service for very vulnerable babies and children and states that it is years away from receiving the amount of funding necessary?
Comment on this
The national childcare scheme comes into effect on Wednesday. I encourage people to apply. People who already receive childcare subsidies will see their subsidies increased and some parents will qualify for childcare for the first time. We will have to see how things pan out in the next couple of weeks. As the Deputy's queries are very specific, I suggest she raise them directly with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.