Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I concur with Deputy O'Rourke. This is a monumental cock-up. The sooner the Government reverses this outrageous decision, the better. Many of those who have spoken have serious concerns. In the few years before the general election, Deputies attended many openings of child care facilities. As a politician, I welcomed the funding and advances we had made in the area. Now, however, many parents are concerned they will not be able to afford the higher child care charges and that, eventually, they will not be able to continue in employment.

What has occurred is like a three card trick. Before the election the Government was throwing money at it and it was a great party, but now the election is over it says the coffers are empty and it must pull back. However, it is a serious situation, not a joke. Parents, young children and workers in these child care facilities are in fear of their future and the future of child care. There is widespread concern that the Government does not fully understand the consequences of its action. This was outlined by Deputy O'Rourke.

Community child care is provided in every town and village in the country and this provides opportunities to people. However, local authorities throughout the country have now started to impose rates on these facilities. In a small village in my county of Roscommon, a not-for-profit child care facility has been billed for rates of €11,000. What does this mean for people? This is not affordable child care. People are being hit by the levies and they are being hit by local authority rates imposed because the authorities claim they are not getting funding from central government. I cannot understand the talk that goes on about never having it so good. We never had it so bad. I wonder what is in the budget. I urge the Government to reverse the cock-up and get it right because too many parents, children and people working in child care facilities are in fear for their jobs or child care places.

When the Supplementary Estimate was introduced, we thought it was designed to meet the cost of child care. A special provision could have been introduced to ring fence money for child care, but this did not happen. Four months ago, I met parents from Drumshanbo whose children were in not-for-profit child care. They highlighted their concerns to me then. I did not know at the time this provision was to be introduced and I told them I did not believe any Government would introduce it. Clearly, it is the civil servants in the Department that run matters when it suits the Government. Somebody must take responsibility for what is happening. Let them stand up and be counted. We need strong leadership and government in this regard. When the Government was doing it right, I warmly welcomed the provisions. Now that it is doing it wrong, it is my duty to stand up and take it to task. I take no pleasure in doing so.

In the context of cutbacks and the fact that this is a departmental motion, I wish to raise other health area cutbacks, such as the reduction of the breast cancer services at Sligo General Hospital and the loss of the four consultants and 13 nurses there. Why were interviews for 200 middle management posts in the health service conducted in a Sligo hotel? I was at a meeting and march last Thursday in Sligo which was attended by 2,000 angry people who cannot believe the Minister of State has let them down again. The Department also intends to axe 24-hour emergency cover in Roscommon County Hospital as part of a review of the service there. The consultant surgeons there agree this will degrade the services in the hospital.

Three years ago the Fianna Fáil Party went to Inchydoney. There they walked up and down the beach and were converted. They must do the same again this Christmas. They should not go away on five weeks' holidays, but go to Inchydoney and do what is right for the people. Do what is right for child care, for the health services and what is right for Roscommon and Sligo hospitals and all hospitals in the country.

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