In recent years there has been a sea change in support for childcare, which is a credit to both the current Minister and his predecessors. We used to have just three hours per day in term time for just two years and now we have 45 hours for up to 14 years and it is year-round. It is worth up to €63 per week. That is very important. However, our policy lab has done extensive work and there is still a long distance to go in meeting a situation where we truly value the importance of giving children a good start in their lives. In particular, there are too many gaps in the service. There needs to be a policy shift to inform all Departments, in particular those responsible for local development planning and the national development plan, of the importance of investing in children. We should throw open State facilities that often lie idle from 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. in the afternoon. I ask that we push ahead with reform in this very important area.

I agree that it must be a principle of this Government that every child gets a fair start in life and the best start in life that is possible. I am familiar with the work of the Fine Gael policy lab and also the care of the child document, which sets out a roadmap as to how we can improve services and supports for children. The reduction in childcare fees of approximately 25% next year is part of that, and we must pursue many of the points mentioned by Deputy Bruton as well, including making better use of schools in the afternoon for after-school activities and other things as well.