Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In 2005, I was elected to the Dáil in a by-election in Kildare, and a by-election was held in Meath on the same day. A key issue in the by-election was the lack of available and affordable child care. It seemed to come as a bolt from the blue and was regarded as a commuter belt issue. It is way beyond that. The response was that €1,000 was provided in the following budget per child, and this was subsequently changed to a preschool place which has already delivered returns, including societal returns.

Those with huge mortgages are required to have a double income if they are to keep afloat, and very many of them would argue their child care costs are equivalent to another mortgage. When one looks at it from the point of view of people parenting alone, there are real challenges. They face a real poverty trap in taking up paid employment and working towards building a career. It does not make economic sense when one looks at it over a lifespan. One can make comparisons of taxation throughout Europe, but we do not compare the type of services provided.

People here would be envious of the type of arrangement one would find in France, Spain or Germany, as pointed out by Deputy Joan Collins. We have very expensive child care for the individuals who have to pay for it and very expensive housing, yet we want people to exist on low and moderate incomes. This issue must be taken seriously. Child care must be seen as a societal issue. The Government has a responsibility to deliver it in a different way than it is currently delivered.

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