Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

That is a shocking commentary on the immaturity of this democracy. If the Government attempted to foist such a change on children aged five, six or seven, there would be a revolution. However it is attempted on children at preschool community child care facilities and will impact mostly on vulnerable, voiceless, low-income groups who cannot afford the PR spin doctors to make their case in The Irish Times where it will be heard. Therefore these people will be trod on. It is difficult to imagine a more anti-community measure. The Government's amendment will send out the message that it is okay to segregate children, that there are separate places for low-income and social welfare dependent children, and that people who attempt to better themselves and lift themselves out of poverty will be thrown back into the poverty trap. If it is not broken, the Minister should not fix it.

Countless millions of euro have been invested in capital infrastructure for the community child care facilities. Why would we seek to dismantle the bridgehead the providers of these community child care facilities are to the low-income families in particular and to the community at large by asking community child care facilities to become social welfare or community welfare officers of the State? Why must they ask of the parents who benefit from their facilities their incomes, P60s and financial circumstances? That is not what these community driven activists got involved in. What of those who work in community child care? What of their prospects? Community child care facilities will close and people employed in them will become unemployed. This is a drastic, unforgivable proposal by the Government. In the interests of community, low-income workers, social welfare dependants and all children, I appeal to the Government to step back from the breach and to allow some breathing space, as implied in the motion. Let us formulate a better proposal that will enable these community facilities to continue to provide a service and prosper.

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