Michael Fitzpatrick (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to speak on this issue. I am proud to have been involved from a early stage in the provision of a child care facility in north-west Kildare. In 2003, when the idea was thought up, most people thought we were mad even to suggest it in a rural area. The centre was opened in 2005 following the expenditure of €2.5 million. It now caters for 51 full-time places with 60 seasonal places and the entire community realises the benefit of it.

We can probably all agree on two things, first, that there is no quick-fix solution to the problem of child care and, second, that the aim of the Government must be to help the most disadvantaged children get a better start in life. Child care costs are frequently raised by many working class families in my constituency. Few issues resonate with so many young people from all walks of life in communities across the country.

Last year I was very proud when the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brendan Smith, came to Kildare in his then role of Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture. He took time out to visit the child care centre in Allenwood and to meet the staff and children, which gave them a boost of confidence in the work they were doing.

The public policies pursued by the Government on child care have had major repercussions throughout society. Our policy has impacted on the role of women in the workplace, on the labour market and, in general, on the course of educational and social achievement.

Community child care has an important role to play within communities. While the staffing grants have been most generous, many child care facilities did not implement the tiered structure that was originally intended and this is causing problems now. I am pleased the Minister has introduced a commencement date of mid-2008, which gives all of the people involved time to put their house in order. I appeal to those who run crèches and who have not yet done so to submit the forms requested by the Department for the assessment that it is carrying out.

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