Ms Rose Bradley:

Deputy Ó Caoláin asked about the comment in my submission about increasing the numbers of community preschools. The thinking behind it is that as it stands, as my colleagues have noted, independent preschool providers do not have access to all available subventions. This is relevant for families living in particular locations - I am thinking of certain families I know and the issues they encounter - whose child has a physical disability, say, which requires his or attendance at a preschool that is physically accessible. The independently-owned facility down the road may be very welcoming to such a child but might not physically be able to accommodate him or her. The rationale for increasing the number of community preschools is that it would mean people have access to a greater selection of facilities that have access to subventions. Having listened to other speakers' comments this morning, however, I agree that another option might be to extend the subvention to all preschools, both private and community facilities.

The Deputy also asked about my reference to innovative ways of addressing the training issue. This touches on Senator Colm Burke's point about how important it is to draw on the services we already have. Although we are focusing this morning on what is missing from the service, it is important, too, to keep in mind what is in place. There is a significant amount of experience within the Central Remedial Clinic. In my job as a social worker, I am constantly collaborating with lots of other agencies and professionals. It is a question of how we can draw on the experience and wealth of knowledge that is there. Some type of structure for channelling all that information and experience into addressing the training issue would be helpful. I hope that answers the Deputy's question.