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

They are children who are going to bed cold and hungry. We also know that the number of people living in deprivation has increased from 13.7% in 2008 to 30.5% in 2014. That is clear evidence that this Government's policies are not working and that it does not have a joined-up approach.

Last year, the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, launched a report recommending that maternity benefit be extended to one year. The following week, however, the Cabinet chose to tax maternity benefit, so where is the joined-up thinking? Where better for a child to spend the first year of their life than at home? We should consider introducing maternity benefit incrementally up to 12 months.

We witnessed another lack of a co-ordinated approach when the Government launched a vicious attack on lone parents. When announcing the changes, the Tánaiste, Deputy Burton, said they would not proceed without a full Scandinavian model that was bankable. Instead, we got an after-school scheme. I am surprised the Minister had the audacity to mention that in his speech last night. That scheme talked about creating 6,000 places, but after 18 months in operation the take-up is less than 5%. It has been an abysmal scheme which does not work.

Changes to the lone parent's allowance went ahead none the less. Those who have been hit hardest are those who choose to work. Meanwhile, the allowance for lone parents who cannot obtain work and for whom social welfare is their only source of income stays the same. People who have the incentive and drive to go to work are hardest hit, and I do not think that is fair.

The Minister said it is a well-known fact that the cost of child care is like a second mortgage. He said that is why the Government is taking it so seriously. In his amendment to the motion, however, the Minister did not produce one proposal to address child care affordability. After four years in office, the Government has decided to establish an interdepartmental group to look at affordability. That group will not report back for at least six months, which is four or five months before a general election. Then the Government will say that although it has done nothing in this area for the past five years, if re-elected, it will look at doing something in the area in the next five years. Nobody will believe the promise of the Minister, Deputy Reilly, in that regard.

In last night's debate, the Minister seemed to dismiss the notion of tax credits for families without stating his preferred option. Only four weeks ago, the Irish Independenthad a front page spread on how the Government was introducing tax credits. The newspaper did not pick that story off the ground. In my opinion, that information was leaked to it by the Department. Where is the plan now, however, and what will the Government do for middle-income earners? They are the people who get up at 6.30 every morning, or earlier, and leave their children in day care for 12 hours. They return at the end of the week jaded and no better off financially. What is this Government going to do for those people?

Another cohort of people comprises the most marginalised in society. The community child care supplement scheme, which is there to help them, is restricted. It is only available in one third of our service providers. What about children from less well-off families where there is no community setting? There are no proposals to deal with them.

Some Government policies in recent years have contributed to the cost of running child care services. A memo was sent from a service provider in County Longford advertising an increase in fees.

The first reason given for this increase was that up until 2011 commercial rates did not apply, but the crèche is now subject to a substantial annual rates bill. The second reason was the introduction of commercial water rates last year. The third was that the introduction of the free preschool year under the ECCE scheme had resulted in a reduction in capitation in the past two years. The fourth was that the increase in employers' PRSI had given rise to a substantial bill in 2014. Every one of the increases to which I refer was a direct consequence of Government policy.

No mention has been made of the eight-point plan. The Minister completely failed to speak of it. I am not surprised, because not one of the eight points contained in that plan has been implemented in full. This is despite the fact that two years have passed since the plan was first announced. We are still awaiting publication of the new regulations and despite the enactment - with cross-party support - of the relevant legislation in January 2014, the new registration process still has not been put in place.

The 24,000 people who work in the area of child care provide an invaluable service. These are individuals to whom we entrust the care and education of our children. Last night the Minister acknowledged the considerable contribution of child care providers and their staff to the provision of high-quality services. I am sure they welcome that acknowledgement. Later, however, the Minister abdicated his responsibility when he stated "pay levels and conditions of employment are ultimately matters for the management of these services." He forgets that the main contract for these services rests with the State. If we want a high-quality service, then we must ensure that adequate funding is provided. It is necessary to have high-quality staff in order to ensure a high-quality service. At the very minimum, the Government must confirm that the pay of those who work in the area of child care will be considered by the commission on low pay. If we want a graduate-led workforce, then we must ensure its members are properly paid.

My final point relates to special needs education. The Minister's statement to the effect that "the Health Service Executive, where possible, provides additional supports to children with special needs to enable them to avail of preschool services" was simply awful. It must be remembered that he is a former Minister for Health. What about equal opportunities for all? Children with special educational needs are being placed at a clear disadvantage and the Government has failed to acknowledge that fact. This matter is bounced around among the Departments of Health, Children and Youth Affairs and Education and Skills. No one Department is taking proper responsibility for those with special educational needs. The position in this regard must change. There is empirical evidence which confirms that investment in the early years ensures the best return not only for children but also for their families and for society in general.

I again commend the motion to the House.

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