Ms Evelyn Reilly:

I hope my wish list will address some of the questions members have raised. Ideally, capitation for the ECCE scheme would be provided on a year-round basis. More realistically, it should at least be provided for 42 weeks. In addition, the capitation grant should be restored to its original level, even though that level is not adequate, and should include extra provision for non-contact time.

Another item I would include on my wish list is one that is key for children with additional needs, namely, that I should be able to access a special needs assistant without a formal diagnosis. I have a child who came to me last August and only this week received his assessment of need. His mother and my staff team have effectively functioned as his SNA. Assessments of need are not being made in a timely fashion and when they are received, the resources are not available to implement them. There should be recognition of my professional competence such that I am able to say a child needs an SNA and the provision of that SNA must be funded.

My third wish relates to children who are disadvantaged. We are dealing with disadvantaged children in all of our services up and down the country; they are not confined to specific areas. I live in the affluent university town of Maynooth but the children attending our service are from a mixture of backgrounds and some of their families need support. My staff team is offering assistance to parents every day at the door, but we need time and support to do this. In a context in which national schools receive support to help children who are disadvantaged, including through the Early Start programme, why should our sector not receive the same support?