Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will certainly be bringing forward a case for the incremental development of affordable and accessible child care services. I agree with the Deputy that this is a key economic and competitiveness issue. As the OECD report stated when it examined this area, it is essential that it be addressed for the future economic development of the country. I approach it from the point of view of what is best for the child and want to ensure services are of high quality. While we welcome the 1,200 new jobs created every week, as they become available and couples take them up, the question of accessible child care is going to become more critical. I agree with the Deputy that this is a key issue for the Government when considering future tax policy and general investment. International research on developments in child care points to universal provision as the most effective way forward.

See this speech in context