Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues and many Deputies, including the Minister, in commending Deputy Troy, our party spokesperson on children and youth affairs, on tabling this motion before the House in a non-confrontational way. He has put together a motion that deals with the issue and that puts forward proposals such that we can come together from all sides of the House to debate rationally the issue in a context that is not politically charged, as is so often the case during Private Members' business. This is simply giving the appropriate due regard to an important sector, the early childhood sector, and an important issue, that is, how we support parents, especially working parents, to care for their children while continuing their careers.

Deputy Troy put forward many worthy proposals in the document which underpins the Private Members' motion. He offered suggestions, including tax breaks and direct payments to assist working parents. His proposals could operate either through the family income supplement or other direct payments and could subsidise the cost of child care. He also offered sensible and worthy suggestions in respect of parental leave and how to progress the associated entitlements of parents in the coming years over a particular timescale.

We have come a long way in childhood care in past ten or 15 years but there is a significant road to travel and we have only partially got to grips with many of the issues that arise. Deputy Calleary outlined the work of several Fianna Fáil Ministers of State who took responsibility for children's affairs and who paved the way in terms of grappling with many of the key issues which, unfortunately, were ignored for too many years. Our late colleague, Brian Lenihan, was the first Minister for children to be elevated to sit at the Cabinet table, albeit as a Minister of State. The appointment and elevation of the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, to a full Cabinet post is a welcome development of that progression.

We should acknowledge, however, that having a Minister is not the key thing, rather it is what is happening and how we are developing and progressing. In this regard I believe we need to see far more initiative, especially in respect of the topic which Deputy Troy is trying to address in his suggestions, that is, how to support working parents. The Minister recently launched a research policy document by Indecon which was initiated with the Donegal County Childcare Committee. the document provided much valuable base research in terms of where the difficulties many parents face arise. The document indicated that the current cost of child care is, on average, €915 per month. Over a ten month period that amounts to €9,150 and for two children the total is €16,470. That alone is enough to indicate the barriers and difficulties of having young children, whether as part of a two parent family in which both parents are working or more so for a one parent family. The figures show a lone parent would have to give up 45% of her annual wage to cover the cost of child care for one child. It is little wonder there are many who find it difficult to enter the workforce. We do not have any real way of supporting them or of making it a real prospect for them to get back into or to continue in the workforce, especially those on average or low wages.

I wish to touch briefly on the issue of special needs and the need for clear guidelines and a clear inclusion policy at preschool level to accommodate special needs.

Our early childhood sector and the free preschool year, for example, are not much older than many of the children who are currently participating in them. The sector is developing and trying to find its feet. However, an area we have not placed much focus on to date is special needs. Over the next two years, I ask the Minister to ensure supports are provided in this area.

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