Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The community childcare subvention scheme assists in providing quality child care at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low-income working parents. There are three fantastic community child care facilities in my area in Ballydesmond, Banteer and Bothar Bui. However, they are hugely challenged in terms of maintaining these services and struggle even more with rates bills, which they must pay and which are a real challenge. It is pity some of this was not looked at when we had more funds in Government. However, we must deal with this.

Preschool quality standards and staff qualifications are other challenges. The implementation of an eight-point preschool quality agenda has been prioritised and significant progress has been made in this area. All the research shows that the early years of child care are so important and impact greatly on education at a later stage. It is all about early intervention and the right start. We know how introducing a second free preschool year would greatly benefit children's education and development outcomes. I know this is one of the Minister's real objectives. However, it is a challenge in current economic circumstances.

It was interesting to hear Deputy Ó Cuív's comments last night about working mothers who must weigh up the cost of child care against the cost of returning to work. This is a huge issue but it is one of culture. There is a tendency to see the cost of child care as a mother's issue rather than an issue for the entire family unit. We need to change the discussion of this and change the culture. A total of 55% of our graduates are women. If the workforce is losing well-educated women who want to work, child care is also an issue for society as a whole. I am glad we have a Minister who is so passionate about children's issues. I commend the Government amendment to the House.

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