Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I commend Deputy Enright for bringing this Fine Gael motion before the House. The Minister has recognised that there are challenges and difficulties for the service providers in the implementation of this scheme. However, it would appear the bottom line is that the Government believes the challenge is for the provider to come up with creative solutions within the current constraints of the scheme. This whole concept smacks of something that was hurriedly thought up, with little consideration on its implementation.

The Minister has assured the House that spaces will be available from the start of the scheme. However, we continue to wait for specific detail. I cannot help thinking that in devising and presenting this scheme, the Government had an eye on the debacle that followed last October's disastrous and clumsy supplementary budget. On that occasion, there was no sugar-coated pill to accompany the Government's proposal to withdraw the automatic entitlement of people over the age of 70 to the medical card. This time around, it seems that the bad news - the abolition of the early child care supplement - had to be softened somewhat. The measure being used to that end - the introduction of a preschool year scheme - seems ill-conceived. The details of the scheme have deliberately been kept vague. I have received many representations on this issue over recent weeks. I have tabled parliamentary questions to the Minister to try to get clarity and flexibility on the scheme. I am sure the Minister and his officials are aware of the real dangers faced by service providers. It is likely that they will be unable to plan for the provision of a proper service.

Significant investment has taken place under the national child care investment programme. Service providers have told me that the current rate of unemployment allows many parents who are in work to choose alternative child care methods. The easy part of the equation has been the capital investment of €300 million that has taken place since 2006. Some €28 million has been invested in my own constituency of Clare. This national infrastructure, which is a significant resource, must not be allowed to wither and die. Having invested these capital moneys, the Minister must fund the ongoing running of child care services in a sustainable manner. He needs to protect the Government's capital investment. To a large extent, the voluntary sector is responsible for building and running child care facilities. Much credit is due to the many committees around the country that have risen to the challenge of providing child care in their own communities. The voluntary sector has driven child care developments in County Clare, for example in Kildysart, Liscannor, Tuamgraney, Mountshannon, Ruan, Flagmount and Killaloe. These volunteers are in the dark, just as parents are. There is confusion about how the volunteers should provide this new service from next year.

Approximately 75,000 children will qualify for this supplement next year. According to the relevant guidelines, there is a requirement to provide 2 sq. m per child in crèche or preschool facilities. Therefore, using a crude instrument, the Government will have to provide a minimum of 160,000 sq. m of space. Where is the evidence that this space is available? There are strict guidelines on staffing ratios, depending on the age of child. It is ironic that many of the facilities being built, including those I have mentioned, are adjacent to national schools. It has not escaped the attention of voluntary service providers that the strict space and staffing criteria that apply to them no longer apply when children walk across the yard at four or five years of age to commence their primary education and their interaction with the State. Prefabs, converted cloakrooms, hallways and increasing pupil-teacher ratios are the norm in our primary schools. It is an example of the ultimate Orwellian approach, in that the State can do what it likes but everybody else must bow to its directives. This new scheme, which is being hurried, does not fulfil the necessary criteria and does not allow parents and service providers to plan properly. It is more geared to getting headlines than offering a genuine service to parents for their children. I commend this Fine Gael motion to the House.

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