Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I give credit to the last Government for introducing the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme. It is interesting to note that millions of euro were taken from parents in direct payment in order to introduce the scheme. The decision was that several hundred million euro in cash payments were taken to fund the scheme, and the committee may remember the €1,000 cash payment taken from parents. The smaller amount of €175 million was put into the universal scheme. Ms McLoughlin has indicated that the universal scheme has been successful, with children from all backgrounds attending. That makes a very strong argument for a second year as it is availed of widely, despite it covering only 3.5 hours per day.

With regard to the community child care places, despite the economic downturn the number of places have been maintained, with some growth. We have had 24,600 places this year, with 24,200 in 2011. I recognise the changing nature of the demand and we must be very conscious of that in the coming budget. There is a level of demand from families where members wish to take up employment, training or education for community child care. It is an ongoing issue. The last strategy was more general and aspirational and we want this strategy to be more targeted, with particular measures and timeframes. We hope to have the early years strategy in the middle of the year, and Ms McLoughlin is working on that with Dr. Eilis Hennessy. That will outline key targets to be achieved by a certain date.

I ask Mr. Jim Breslin, Secretary General of the Department, to make some comments on the strategy for the information of the committee.