Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this discussion on the pre-budget Estimates for 2008, published last week by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance. They mark a significant development in reform of the Estimates and budgetary process. The Government's objective is to create a more unified and transparent approach to the budgetary framework and to provide greater transparency in terms of the allocation of resources.

The Government wishes to focus on value for money. In response to Deputy Burton, I contend that it is in everybody's interests to move away from the rhetoric on child care and instead seek ways to deal with the proposals before us. Those proposals emanated from a value-for-money exercise undertaken by the Department of Health and Children in regard to the previous six-year programme, which was largely funded by the Exchequer. The claims in leaflets emanating from those campaigning on this issue that it was all EU money are disingenuous. Deputy Burton too referred to the cessation of EU funding in this area. The reality is that the Government has allocated significant resources to child care in the past six years. More money will be allocated in the next six years. That should be acknowledged.

The issue to consider is how this money is allocated. I recognise the concerns raised in this regard. I have impressed upon interested parties the importance of gathering data and information so that we can form a basis for teasing out the issues involved and how serious are the problems in certain communities.

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