Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

Many representations have been made to Members with regard to the proposed changes to the funding of child care in disadvantaged areas. This is exactly the type of public service to which I refer, where low income earners and children living in poverty are being denied access to quality services. This is an issue that has arisen under the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brendan Smith, but it will have a direct impact on many recipients of social welfare and those who have managed to get off social welfare and into the workforce but who now find there is a serious incentive for them to return to welfare.

A cross-departmental approach needs to be taken in this area. Is the Minister aware of this looming issue? Has it been discussed in the social inclusion unit in his Department? Have the alarms bells rung for the Minister yet? What specific action will the Department take, given its responsibility to deal with child poverty, but also with regard to encouraging people to move off welfare and into the workforce?

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