Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

On the various aspects of the scheme that must be clarified for the public, the Minister of State has provided the necessary answers. In particular, Members now know the scheme's choreography as to when preschool education will begin, when education providers can apply to provide the preschool year and when information on who will be providing the scheme will be made available to parents. I understand this will take place in October. Members know that smaller services, particularly in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny and other rural areas of the country, will be catered for despite the standard pupil number criteria announced, which specified a minimum enrolment of eight children.

On the issue of the capitation fee and the cost of the preschooling year, Members know that most services will see an increase in their income because of this scheme, which will allow them meet higher standards . Members also know what service providers can and cannot do in respect of charging and access. For example, there will be no booking deposit and enrolment cannot be dependent on making a voluntary donation. Moreover, Members have been apprised of the standards in training which providers must have.

Having read the details of how this scheme will work, I am confident it will be administered in the most efficient way possible, such as, for example, through the provision of a capitation grant to the provider, rather than to the parent, on a quarterly basis. I believe the Minister of State and his office are preparing this preschool year provision thoroughly and Irish children can look forward to a worthwhile initiative in the provision of child care.

Last night, in response to the Ryan report and its aftermath, my party leader, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, stated there must be a new system of child care based on the needs of the child and not the needs of institutions or organisations providing care. As we chart a new direction for child care and preschool education in Ireland, those swiftly-moving years of early childhood with their burst of growth, imagination, trust, love and dependency must be protected and looked after and I believe this scheme will give parents a window of support to be used in the best interests of our children. I support the Government amendment.

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