Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If the Deputy read the Standing Orders, he might understand what is going on. The point I was making was that when Fianna Fáil was in power, its child care policies were quite simple - they were non-existent. It was a real crisis at the time because, if both parents were working, nothing could be given to them even if they were paying excessively for child care. There were neither tax credits nor tax breaks for parents where both are working.

Since we came to power, we have with difficulty maintained the existing standard. We have continued to provide the free education programme for those under five years of age, which I have welcomed. However, there are certain child care facilities in Dublin which will not take children under one year of age because the regulations are so strict and it requires such a high ratio of childminders to children. This is an issue we have to look at as it does not allow parents to go back to work.

I hope the Minister might raise the following point at the Cabinet table.

When we have stabilised our finances and lowered the deficit even further, we may look at giving some sort of tax break to working parents with children in child care. We must remember that even though children are attending school, they finish at 3 p.m. or 2.30 p.m. and need after school care. We should find some way of helping them in that respect.

In our policies, we must take into consideration the fact that approximately 42% of childminders are relatives of the child. I am delighted to be able to speak here and highlight the mistakes the previous Fianna Fáil Administration made with regard to child care.

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