Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms McNally for the reply but I remember this being established, mainly as Deputy Cassells and I participated in by-elections in 2005 and childcare was the key issue. It seemed to take policymakers by surprise that it was such a big issue. There was a grant of €1,000 given as a budget response and the late Mr. Brian Lenihan, as Minister of State with responsibility for children at the time, introduced the early childhood care and education scheme.

It was a challenge in its own right to get that up and running. It is still reasonably new but we can already see the value. For example, we do not see as many pictures of screaming children on their first day of school in September because there is a much easier evolution into the education system. There is a definite educational value that has already become evident. The people working in the sector do not feel valued and they are not being retained, despite many of them being educated to a very high standard. I will not labour the point but there would be budgetary implications if there is to be a sizable shift.

We focus on how money is being spent and the Department has less than it needs. Children and youth affairs are really important and there is a major underprovision in the youth area. Is the surplus that was surrendered a cause of concern? I would have expected that every shilling would be spent. That should be as much of a concern as overspends or procurement matters. Why was there a surrender of funding in 2016 and 2017? Was it a feature last year again and why does it happen?