Ms Paula Donohoe:

I thank Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor for her comments on our submission. Having put a lot of hard work into it, I hope it will have some contribution to make to the committee's report.

My wish list would include, first, investment in the ECCE programme, as I said in my proposals. Second, without a doubt, is investment in meeting additional needs. My third wish relates to Aistear and Síolta, two immensely important framework documents being brought forward. I implore the Department to ensure these initiatives are rolled out in a similar fashion to the way in which the new primary school guidelines were implemented, with mandatory whole-staff training. That would help to drive forward quality. My fourth wish is that preschool facilities be removed immediately from the rates net. They are recognised as educational facilities across the board, with the singular exception of the Valuation Office. The Equal Status Acts specifically recognise private preschool providers as educational facilities, but this is not reflected by the Valuation Office. It is time for the issue to be addressed if we are to have a realistic prospect of offering a sustainable service.