James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To respond to the first concern expressed by Deputies, the small reduction in the funding available reflects the smaller number of children who are using the service. This is the result of a small decline in the population.

On a more general point, Pobal estimates that 24,000 people are employed in the child care sector. It is important to remember that these services are provided by private, commercial and community child care services and the level of remuneration provided to child care workers and their conditions of employment are matters for the management of the relevant services.

It is also important to note that the early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme is for three hours per day, five days per week, 38 weeks of the year. I agree with the design of the programme, which aims to provide parents with choice. The service is paid for on a capitation basis in order that the State has some say in the standards and quality of care being provided.

Deputy Troy asked whether we should have taken the opportunity to increase capitation rates. It would cost between €5 million and €7 million to restore the previous capitation rate. The reduction in the number of children availing of the scheme will not generate sufficient savings to restore the capitation rate. This is one of the areas to be examined by the cross-departmental group we have established.

Other issues raised include the possibility of introducing a second free preschool year, the quality of the service provided in the current year and what other facilities should be in place after ECCE. I, like all Deputies, knock on doors and meet parents who tell me the service is great but they still have to pay someone to bring their child to and from the provider because they have to leave for work at 8 a.m. and do not return until 6 p.m. We have to examine how we can help parents in that position. There is considerable evidence to show that having children in a semi-educational setting is highly beneficial, but only for approximately three hours per day. A different type of service needs to be provided for other times.

We must also consider after-school care for children aged between six and 12 years and 13 and 18 years. The interdepartmental group has much work to do and must examine all these issues. I would like it to produce a number of well thought-out and costed options for the Government's consideration by the summer.

The problem of charging for additional activities, which also applies to schools, is one the interdepartmental group can also consider.