Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is a fair comment. We try, through the Action Plan for Jobs, to bring all the Departments together in that regard. I understand the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, is bringing forward a document next week on the child care element and early school learning. It is hoped there will be some supports in that and that this will encourage us.

On the taxation of self-employed people, the Taoiseach referenced that yesterday in that we intend to address that in this year's budget and to be able to close that gap over coming budgets and make it more aligned to the PAYE system for self-employed. We know there is a gap in that regard, and that will be addressed in this budget.

On the area of child care, many of the start your own business courses are supported through the LEOs, the training awards and, likewise, our education and training boards. When it comes to child care, there are supports to facilitate women to attend these courses. We can examine that with a view to improving the offering because the Deputy is right. We have to encourage women to take up these courses. I am satisfied that the percentage of females involved in these courses has increased dramatically and if we need to do more to encourage that, we will.

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