Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I support any additional funding for the improvement of community-based and private child care facilities. As regards the new child care subvention scheme, however, there are a number of problems which the Minister needs to address urgently regarding community child care. I am deeply concerned by the number of people who have contacted me in recent weeks, including parents, grandparents and workers in the schemes in my constituency. I have grave reservations about the impact this new scheme will have on communities and parents, and particularly on young children attending community crèches. For many young mothers the community crèche is a lifeline providing a safe environment for their children where they can mix with other children from all social backgrounds. It is also an opportunity for parents to return to education or work while their children are being cared for in a safe and familiar environment.

Under the new scheme, parents will have to deal with red tape and apply for funding directly. This is putting obstacles in the way of many parents, some of whom will not be able to deal with the forms and other bureaucracy within the new system, thus losing out on their entitlements.

The new scheme will only apply to a limited number of parents. Many parents who are not on social welfare and do not qualify for the family income supplement but who have a limited income will find that they will not qualify for any funding. The reality is that some parents will have to give up their part-time jobs. We will end up with crèches that are only attended by children of parents on social welfare, which will stigmatise young children through no fault of their own. I cannot see how this is in the best interests of our children or of society generally.

If the Government really believes in equal opportunity, the Minister for Health and Children should realise that the new subvention scheme will only serve to isolate children because of their family circumstances. The aim should be to ensure that Government funding reaches those people who need it most. We need to balance the scales and ensure that every child will benefit from Government funding. No child should lose out because of his or her social background. I urge the Minister to reconsider this scheme.

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