Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

During the next year, the child care programme will receive a 16% increase. Deputy Finian McGrath welcomed the €47 million made available for 2008. The Opposition motion is political opportunism. It should submit appropriate proposals to the Department instead of making a political issue of it. People in many constituencies are making all kinds of statements and hyping something that will not be concluded until July 2008. In the interests of a proper analysis of the child care programme, the way in which it is to be funded and who will receive grants, it is important to have a balanced and open debate with all of the available information, including that provided by child carers to the Minister and other public representatives. We want one of Europe's best child care facilities.

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