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

I thank Members from across the House for contributing to the debate on this critically important issue. I apologise for missing some of the debate last night, but I had an opportunity to look over the contributions in the Official Report today. I am glad that Fianna Fáil used its Private Members' time to ensure, for only the second time in the lifetime of this Government, a substantial debate on this issue.

I am conscious that the Private Members' motion calls for a lot. I would not expect any government, nor would it be possible for it to do so, to implement all the policies at once. The 0.7% of GDP includes the cost of the second preschool year and extending the community child care supplement. I am not asking for those things in addition because they are included. Having said that, however, it is a lot of money.

This motion outlines our aspirations for the child care sector, which could be dealt with incrementally. It is disappointing to listen to some Government Deputies - not all of them because some were positive - condemning us for seeking to prioritise additional investment in this area. In the absence of the publication of the early years strategy, something this Government promised in 2012, we do not know how the Government wishes to see this crucial area being developed in the coming years.

I was amazed that last night, after four years in office, the Minister said it is crucial to develop a coherent whole-of-government approach to investment in child care services. I thought one of the advantages of having a senior Minister with this responsibility at the Cabinet table was to ensure that there would always would be a whole-of-government approach. We know this approach is not working, however, because the CSO figures published some weeks ago said that the number of children living in consistent poverty had risen from 10% in 2012 to 12% in 2014.

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