Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the committees for the work they are doing. They provide an important link between the Department and Government generally as well as a diverse range of services, large and small, urban and rural.

One element of the commentary at the start of the announcement of the affordable child care scheme made the point that this was the form of child care that was the most suitable for many families. It was the form that best meets their needs. However, there are only a small number of registered child minders. Deputy Funchion has regularly raised the issue. A child-minding advisory service was provided previously by the county and city child care committees. Should that be re-introduced? Are there other actions that need to be taken to ensure the number of registered child minders can increase and such that the capacity of that side of child care can be enhanced? Naturally, it is right and correct that any subsidy towards child care or child minding has regard to regulation and standards. However, we would like to see as many as possible brought into the system such that they could avail of it.

Another question has been touched on by Deputy O'Sullivan, Deputy Funchion and Deputy Rabbitte. It relates to the sustainability of the community services. I have been raising this issue for some time. The Minister's statements in recent months have been about the sustainability. Several packages are going to be provided under phase 1 and phase 2. I understand phase 1. Ms O'Sullivan, who operates in Cork, will be aware that considerable attention was paid to this. That first stream of funding has now been received by the services. However, this is the first time that I have seen phase 2 referred to as a once-off. I have some concerns about this. Much of the discussion has referred to the transition from the previous situation. In my view, the cost base has increased. I believe the cost base is relevant. Even a second once-off intervention will not be adequate to ensure the ongoing sustainability of community facilities that, more than likely, are dealing with far more complex needs than many of the private providers. There is a case for an enhanced subvention for those community facilities, especially where they are operating in disadvantaged areas.

Can the deputation give a general outline of how the second intervention will operate to ensure sustainability and some detail on what it might involve?