Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

To follow Deputy Mitchell O'Connor's references to early childhood, we were all horrified by the documentary. I have a concern about how the situation will improve for children. I have mentioned it to the Minister previously. People do not realise the tasks facing child care staff everyday. They have little if any planning time. All of their time is contact time with the children. If there is to be quality, there must be space to develop a plan for the centre, its children and its community, as Deputy Mitchell O'Connor mentioned. Unfortunately, there is no down time for staff at some private centres in particular to plan and to look after records adequately. Services that receive funding from the State try to provide that space, but more is necessary. We do not need nice buildings and equipment - people who have experience of young children know that they often find the greatest joy in the empty boxes, not the toys - but a quality relationship between the carer and the child.

The new agency's establishment cannot be underestimated. It is a positive step forward for many families. It is the type of body that people in the sector have been discussing during their coffee breaks for years but did not believe would come about. I commend the Minister, her staff and the new officials and management team. I wish them well. A time of change is a difficult period for staff and service users, but I am confident there will be a good outcome.

How will we focus on ensuring quality? This relates to the themes raised by various members who have discussed the new agency and early childhood studies. How do we know there will be quality and depth to the service? We should not focus on the number of social workers alone, as people often do. There can be thousands of workers, but poor quality relationships and practices can do damage. This is our opportunity to ensure good quality.