Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is an opportune time to have a detailed debate on the further development of the child care sector. I commend our party spokesperson, Deputy Troy, on the very considered, comprehensive and positive Private Members' motion that is before us. The motion encompasses all aspects of child care. It emphasises the importance and value of the sector, the commitment of the child care providers and their staff, the willingness of the vast majority of employees to participate in upskilling - continuous education, in effect - and the welcome development over the past 16 to 17 years, in particular, of modern facilities in urban and rural areas throughout the country. The motion refers to the welcome mix of community, public and private provision in 4,300 centres across the State and rightly and accurately reflects the serious concerns of many families about the high level of child care costs.

I am familiar with this sector, particularly in my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. I am aware of the concerns of people in the private and community sectors. Fortunately, there is a good mix in the model of provision in my constituency. Good leadership has been shown in many communities throughout the country to source public funding to develop child care facilities. This development is complementary to the development of facilities by private providers. There was very little child care provision in my own county right up to the early 2000s. Indeed, the number of child care facilities that existed in the county until greater investment was made from the late 1990s onwards could be very quickly counted. In many communities where there was no private provision, good community activists, predominantly women, worked very hard to ensure they were in a position to draw down good State funding to develop the most modern facilities. I am sure Deputies on all sides of the House had an opportunity to work with many of those groups. I was very glad to have such an opportunity. Excellent work was done in many areas. In my constituency, I had the privilege of working with groups which sourced funding under the community sector provision in many areas, including Bailieborough, Cootehill, Ballyjamesduff and Belturbet in County Cavan and Scotstown, Latton and Carrickmacross in County Monaghan. I recently visited the child care centre in Tullacmongan resource centre in Cavan town.

I met its board of management, its day-to-day management and its staff. I have been familiar with the project since its inception. Many of the people I met that evening had been there from the start when they set about sourcing a site and public funding to develop the facility. They show the same enthusiasm today for ensuring that the best possible care is provided to the children attending the centre.

The centre is in the heart of a large local authority estate in Cavan town. It is run excellently, has committed staff and provides a range of child care services, including full day care and afterschool provision. The project was spearheaded by a former local councillor, Ms Patricia Walsh, a committed and diligent worker in the community. Along with many others, predominantly women, she has given great leadership by ensuring an excellent service. Having attended county child care awards events, I have seen many of the staff obtaining further FETAC certifications each year. Surely those who gain extra skills deserve proper remuneration for their work. They participate on courses on what is practically an ongoing basis. They have shown commitment, hard work and diligence.

We need further investment in early childhood care and education, ECCE. Our party spokesperson and other colleagues outlined the substantial burden that has been placed on many families. They need extra financial support, as does the sector. Many private and community facilities will find it difficult to remain viable if additional financial support is not provided.

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