Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The simple fact is that the cost of child care is crippling young families. This week Members learned from the media what the Minister would not do, but they have yet to hear what he intends to do to address this phenomenon. At the same time, these exorbitant child care costs are being incurred and the future sustainability of the services is under threat. The Minister referred to a couple of schemes funded through his Department. Is he aware that there are more than 4,200 services operating in Ireland, of which only 30% operate on a community not-for-profit basis? Only 30% of these services can avail of the ECCE or the CCS scheme. The Minister referred to the ECCE scheme introduced by the previous Government, but it is for three hours a day, for 38 weeks in a year, which does not address the affordability of child care. The Minister must examine the various regulations and conditions set by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs that are making matters unbearable for service providers. Moreover, he must consider ensuring the capitation grants and funding provided by his Department are made available on time because that is not the case at present, which is adding further problems to the services.

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