Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Early Childhood Ireland as a bheith anseo. I could ask any amount of questions about the early years sector. I am also interested in the appendix. The out-of-school care discussion should be the next topic for discussion as it is an important one but I shall stick to what is particularly topical at the minute.

I am interested in hearing the views of the witnesses on parental leave. There has been considerable discussion about the options open to parents who stay at home. The value of parents staying at home with their children for the first year is well recognised. As well as extending the number of weeks, certainly anecdotally at least, my experience is that many parents feel that the rates are unsustainable. Many parents feel that even if there were more weeks the rates are such that the situation is unsustainable and it is impossible for them to stay at home with their children. The point made about rates is important.

I am interested in the access and inclusion model mentioned by Deputy O'Sullivan. Is the targeted scheme for children aged 6 months to 15 years robust enough and suitable for the older children in the scheme? I have expressed the view that what has been done for child care professionals is inadequate. The initiative of having 1.4 weeks to seven days will not cut it and is not good enough. I am also disappointed at the lack of continual personal development, CPD.

Most Deputies and Senators broadly welcome the new scheme but we would like further investment. I have two concerns about the capacity of the scheme and the first is capitation. This aspect was touched upon by the witnesses. The findings in the report are alarming because it states that if six babies attend on a full-time basis for 52 weeks then the baby room will operate at a loss. How does the delegation think the capitation system can be reformed?

There is a link between capitation and qualifications. The learner fund has not been expanded. Not only does it make it difficult for facilities to operate it also keeps workers, who are primarily female, in relatively low-paid employment. It also does not offer an opportunity to develop.

I am concerned that there is not a great deal of space available, particularly in urban centres. On the one hand, the Department seems to have said that it does not anticipate a huge increase in demand but on the other hand, it has said that it expects increased labour market participation, which is a contradiction. This matter is already in the public consciousness and I imagine that there will be an increase in capacity. I am concerned that some providers will increase their rates, which will swallow up an element of the additional subsidy, particularly in big urban centres where demand is high.

Yesterday, members attended a briefing on the scheme provided by the Department, which was welcome. I asked whether caps were ever considered for rates to ensure that it did not excessively swallow up the additional subsidy. I am curious to know whether Early Childhood Ireland has explored such an initiative. Ms Heeney spoke about the need for a capacity plan to be provided before the sector expands further. Does the ECI consider a cap to be a good a idea, particularly at this early stage before capacity expands?