Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her questions, her massive commitment to the area and the motions she has put forward in that regard. As regards her first set of questions, concerning the costs and work of the sector and staff remuneration, she knows I am in full agreement with her in that regard. She also knows I have raised these issues with the sector and my colleagues in Government in the context of the importance of finding ways to address them and that the providers and people involved must be a significant aspect of the focus of investment, in particular in terms of the next budget, in the development of this radical new approach to child care, the framework and the structures for generations to come. As the Deputy knows, that will form a significant aspect of the detail of negotiating measures in the budget for that part of my portfolio. I do not yet know exactly what we will do differently in terms of looking for investment specifically for the sector because there is still much work to be done but that is going to be a significant aspect of my focus. I wish to very strongly say that the sector responded very positively and professionally to the past couple of budgets and the investment in the providers and, in particular, the cost for families, with which we must also deal. Providers have been patient in terms of recognising that much of that investment is to address the affordability issue. This budget is our chance to address the issue of staff remuneration and that is what I have to find investment for at this time. I understand how difficult it is to keep staff and to what extent people in the sector have upgraded and educated themselves in terms of qualifications, etc., with the support of my Department and the Government. Such staff have been willing to step up to the plate with, and for, us and I must convince my colleagues that requires appropriate remuneration and that there will be serious consequences within the next year or two if that is not done. I can see that coming to the same extent as Deputy Funchion and am very cognisant of it. There is much work to do and the independent review of costs will be a key aspect of it. That will provide us with numbers, rationale and international comparisons, etc.

The Deputy identified that some child care facilities may be forced to close. The Deputy knows how upset that would make me and that my Department is available and has worked with many such facilities to ensure they do not close. If the Deputy is aware of any facilities that have closed or are about to close and have not worked with my Department, I ask her to point them in our direction.

As regards the question on childminding, I have in the past few days received the report of the childminding working group of the early years forum and I will be meeting it within the next two weeks to discuss that very hefty, strong and good report. We will take some time to go through it and begin work on an action plan for its implementation in the short, medium and longer terms. I expect that action plan will address as much movement as possible on the issue and the support for the childminders.

I ask Ms McNally or Ms McGarrigle to deal with the detail of the questions regarding AIM training and the lottery system.