Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the motion. Much of what I want to say has been said before. There have been many calls for a second preschool year and there is no doubt that the first free preschool year has been a fantastic success. We also need to question what parents would get from a second preschool year. I have spoken to a number of parents and although they would welcome it, as it helps with the financial burden, sometimes we make the mistake in this country of thinking a child's life starts when he or she goes to school at the age of five; so much of what goes on in their lives has already gone past them at that stage.

Deputy Barry has already mentioned that if there is a learning or intellectual disability, it can sometimes be picked up at a very early age. If a child needs an occupational therapist or any other support, the request could be made to the Department of Health. We sometimes lack some joined-up thinking in getting Departments to communicate. We have some very well qualified people doing these jobs in child care, but they are paid quite poorly, despite having degrees and qualifications. I am not sure where the priority is placed with respect to child care.

I know that €260 million is spent across a range of areas, and one area that should be examined is child benefit. I am still not completely sure why we pay child benefit to people who simply do not need it. Why can it not be means-tested? The money can be taken from those who can afford child care, although I will not set an income level, as that would get me into trouble. Perhaps a system could be devised where more money could be taken from those who can well afford child care and put through the system. I am not sure why this cannot be done, as it would lead to a much fairer system.

We must examine how the process comes together. A child who is one or two years old will not be put in this kind of child care facility. There are more places working with local national schools and child care facilities so that children can be taken at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. and collected at 6 p.m. It is becoming the norm. In rural areas this can be difficult, as there might not be a big population. It is important to spread these services right across the country.

There is a lack of men involved with child care. I was contacted by one individual who attended a number of conferences dealing with child care. He was the only man who turned up and people seemed to think he had alternative motives for being there, although he just wanted to take up a career in child care. Surely the area should be open to both men and women so that we can create a more balanced society. Even when this man applies for jobs, he does not feel he is getting appropriate credit.

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