James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I have only a few minutes to make my contribution, I would like to make just one point. As a voluntary board member of Legan Community Childcare in my home parish of Legan, I see first-hand the importance of child care services that are provided in rural Ireland, particularly in Longford-Westmeath. Only last week there was a two-page supplement in the Westmeath Examiner outlining the wonderful services they provide. It was two pages of a happy story with pictures of smiling children and so on. It was great to see that but one would not have seen that ten years ago.

Many families leave preschool children with relatives. However, for those parents who do not have that support system behind them, it is vital that substantial child care funding is provided. I am pleased that €260 million is invested annually by the Government to support the provision of early childhood care and education. The Government is committed to increasing access to subsidised child care and after-school places by extending eligibility and rebalancing parental contributions for families making their way into employment in this recovering economy. It is also important to note that this Government is the first in the history of the State to have a dedicated Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

I commend the hard-working staff within child care services throughout the country. They are incredibly well trained, dedicated and hard-working and it is a pleasure to play my part in supporting them in Longford-Westmeath. I thank the Minister, Deputy Reilly, for the support he has given to Longford-Westmeath. I know he has the same commitment to child care services throughout the length and breadth of the country. I wish I had more time to speak on this issue but I want to allow time for my colleagues to contribute.

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