Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for not being here at the start of the contribution. I take the opportunity to compliment the witnesses on the work they have done. There are many positives in the report.

There was reference earlier to the potential for a comprehensive early years strategy - backed up with a national commitment - to shape a stronger and healthier society, strengthen families and break cycles of poverty and disadvantage while removing barriers of inequality. I do not see any tangible recommendations to address the inaccessibility of child care for low-income working parents. Do the witnesses feel that is an omission or something that will be dealt with in the early years strategy itself?

The report refers regularly to progressive universalism. That would be utopia. If we were to get to 0.7% of GDP, it would amount to extra spending of €1 billion in this area. In the absence of that utopia, should we focus on a targeted approach - leading to universalism - to help families caught in cycles of deprivation and poverty now? What do the witnesses advise doing in the interim to get to the universalism of which they speak?

Maternity benefit is something in which I am interested. The witnesses may be aware that a colleague in the Seanad produced legislation, which the Government accepted, to provide for a transfer by a mother of some of her maternity benefit to a father. It is a measure which will not cost anything and could be implemented now. Do the witnesses support that? I imagine they do. I will not ask them to comment on the budgetary change to maternity benefit last week. It would not be fair as it is a political matter.

The report refers to access and inclusion, about which I have a concern. My concern relates to special education, on which there is insufficient emphasis or focus. Special education is dealt with currently across a number of Departments, which leads to fragmentation and a disjointed approach. Would it be better to advocate the full implementation of the special education legislation to ensure we have a fair, equitable system for children with special educational needs?

What level of public consultation will take place before the final strategy is adopted? Can the witnesses give any indication of how much the recommendations will cost? To be realistic about proposals, we must have them costed. Will the strategy include a clear, unambiguous timeframe and objectives so we know what is to be achieved each year? That would allow us to check off whether objectives have been met.