Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

It could be argued that the subvention is being introduced backwards. The highest rate is for those on social welfare. This will act as a disincentive to taking up a job because when one does that one loses the subvention. Why did the Minister of State not consult the community and not-for-profit sector? Where is the commitment to the volunteers who gave their time, and still do so, to find sites, apply for funding, fundraise on the streets, fill in the forms and become employers? What help will they get? How will working families on the margins, who are not entitled to any form of State support access, afford child care?

The Minister of State set up meetings around the country in September and October to brief community child care providers on the subvention scheme. Many of them indicated that it is not operable and that child care centres will close. Will the Minister of State say honestly what feedback he received from the staff who attended those meetings? People were outraged. Is that not enough to tell the Minister of State who has political antennae better than any in Cavan-Monaghan to put this on the backburner, re-evaluate it and let us go forward together?

See this speech in context