Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this important debate on child care. I commend the many magnificent crèches and child care groups that are doing excellent and valuable work. If we are serious about tackling child poverty and educational disadvantage, the focus of the spending must go to the most disadvantaged children who would not have access to such services.

I welcome the provision of €37 million in 2007 and the €47 million for 2008, starting after Christmas. These are major progressive developments and to say otherwise is misleading. I especially welcome the extra funding that will go to the most disadvantaged children and families in Dublin North-Central. I raised these issues in my talks with the Taoiseach and I am glad to see some of them being rolled out in this debate.

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