Ms Michelle Murphy:

It is not universal given the terms the Deputy is using. We state families must be able to avail of the care that is most suitable for them. If one wants to care for one's child at home, one should not be forced to use child care. We hope the proposal is the first step in the Minister looking at the really detailed interdepartmental working group report on early years. The report considered not only child care providers who provide care in their own homes and the question of how parents who want to care for their children at home can be supported. One would hope this is the beginning of a suite of measures. This requires an approach that is much broader than one budget. My concern, which was echoed by some members of this committee, is the very limited resources allocated to the Department. There is no multiannual budgeting. We will certainly be bringing this up when the Minister is having a policy consultation on the strategy for children between zero and six. I am sure this will come up. One cannot be prescriptive in terms of how people want to care for their children. A national child care service has to encompass more than just provision in a certain setting. One has to enable companies to take the option that is most appropriate for them.