Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am familiar with the NESC report which we commissioned when in government with recommendations along somewhat similar lines. In talking about examining FIS, the Minister will be aware that FIS is part of the package, which concerns FIS, qualified child increases and child benefit. While I accept what the Minister said about early child care, in regard to the poorer section of the community the provision she has made for that represents approximately 10% of what she has taken back through cuts to child benefit, which proportionately affect the poorest most.

I take the point that this will take 18 months - possibly over two or even three budgets - to implement. If the Government wants to go in this direction, it should be planning now to start the implementation process in the next budget. I note that when the report was initially published the Minister said it would be referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection to discuss it following which it may or may not come back to the Dáil. If the Government is to start providing for this in the next budget, surely there needs to be some timetable for it. Where are we in that regard?

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