Ms Paula Grogan Ryan:

As far as I am aware, when the ECCE grant was cut, the ratio of children to staff was increased. Whoever made that decision does not work in child care, was not concerned with quality and not thinking of the children. If I had a wish list, the issue of financial reward would be on it. My staff are already giving of their time, doing hours for which they are not being paid. At least if I am paying them, I can say, "You will have to stay a little later to do this." The staff are already doing this, but they deserve a financial reward for doing so.

On inspections, I do not think there is any other group in the country that has been subject to six inspections. If a member of staff has to stay late for an inspection, he or she should at least be paid for doing so. We do not need this number of inspections; one should be enough. What is happening, however, is that the Department of Education and Skills is actually introducing a new inspector role. I am amazed people in our sector have not stood up and said, "Enough." As I listened to the departmental representative speak at the Early Childhood Ireland convention about this new inspector, I could only wonder why nobody was shouting, "Stop." As I said, only one inspection is needed.

It goes without saying we need to look after special needs children. That is a no brainer. We must look after them at preschool, not just primary school.