Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I know that we are not supposed to go into it, but we must acknowledge that staff costs represent over 80% of the costs involved in the running any child care facility. Staff are low paid and terms and conditions are not the best. Other issues include retention, recruitment, education and non-contract hours. They have a direct impact on the quality and continuity of care for our youngest citizens, but I will say no more about the matter because we are not allowed to do so.

Do the delegates any views on a weighting to gear the scheme more towards urban centres where costs are significantly higher than in rural centres? I do not, however, want to be accused of leaving out rural Ireland.

Will the delegates expand on the position of vulnerable children who will no longer qualify for a subsidy and support? What are their numbers? Has this issue been addressed directly with the Minister? Has she taken it into account to make sure they will be included?

On the great ICT initiative which we all welcome, I reiterate that it not being available in September is significant in terms of its impact, the uptake and its seamless success. Not having it will result in there being many stumbling blocks and probably much negativity in the first instance.