Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to acknowledge the work of the child care committees. We all know our own committees best. The Limerick area committee is the committee I know best. Deputy Funchion made a point in respect of funding. She said only 4% of the total funding goes towards the child care committees. In that regard, the committees do a great job. We should acknowledge that.

I am keen to follow on with some questions that relate to the points Deputy Funchion has raised. The first point relates to the transition from dependence on community employment. This was referenced by Ms McCarthy in her contribution. This has been raised with all of us in respect of community child care facilities in particular. Reference was made to 47 services receiving funding and to how the committees are working with others to receive the funding under strand B. Can the deputation elaborate on that as well as in respect of whether the committees are succeeding? This is an issue for community services in particular.

My next question relates to community services. I know Deputy Ó Laoghaire has raised issues around the new scheme and how it will affect community services. We have a delay now. The committees are probably under pressure when it comes to dealing with the interim arrangements. Can the deputation comment on that point and how it is affecting services?

Another question relates to the new programme and the whole issue of capacity. This has been raised with us by service providers. Obviously, the committees are in contact with parents and service providers on a regular basis. Will there be a capacity problem when it comes to dealing with extra demand in the new system because of the second free preschool year?

My final question is about the access and inclusion model programme. How well is it working for parents? The committees run the programmes. Approximately 1,000 providers have taken courses. My question is really around whether parents believe it is working for them, especially in cases of parents of children with special needs. Were they expecting something similar to what is in the primary schools in terms of one-to-one support? How is that working for parents? Are there issues that we need to raise in the context of the ongoing consideration of that scheme?