Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I would like to answer Deputy Rabbitte's questions, not those of his backbenchers. Expenditure on child benefit has increased four fold to assist people with children. I understand its purpose very well. Expenditure has increased from €500 million to €2 billion and it benefits everybody regardless of circumstances. Child care places have been increased by over 50%. When the approved additional resources are implemented, 33,000 places will be provided. Deputy Rabbitte is only wrong on one fact, which is that child care is far more expensive than he states. For one child the cost is from €800 to €900 per month, including in Kildare and Meath as he will have heard.

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