Dáil debates

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

2:35 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is welcome back. She has stated there was no action in the first period of the lifetime of the Government, but there has been a very genuine attempt which will continue to get agreement across a broad range of health issues. We have published the most comprehensive housing programme ever and backed it with money. We have put together an education programme which is the most ambitious ever presented and within ten years - as a former Minister, the Deputy will appreciate this - to make this country the best for education. We have set out the requirements for the citizens' assembly to hold its first meeting on 15 October and addressed a range of other issues that have arisen during the period. Child care and early years education have been priorities for the Government. This month we have seen the commencement of the second free preschool year and the introduction of two weeks' paternity leave. As the Deputy is aware, the programme for Government sets out a package of measures, of which the scheme to which she referred is just one element. It also includes provision for after-school care, home care, childminders and parental leave. Parents want to have more choice, greater flexibility and availability and affordable options. These are matters that need to be considered. The Minister, Deputy Katherine Zappone, proposes to bring together various schemes into one scheme and make it accessible and affordable. It is on this area her focus will be. It will be her priority. It is not for me at this stage to indicate the details of the budget, except that we have a situation where the Ministers are speaking to their opposite numbers. This will emerge over the course of the next week to ten days when the figures will be finalised before being presented in the House. This is an issue that is raised on so many doorsteps and streets every day and is a priority for the Government. As I stated, we temper it with a sense of fairness. Over 2 million people are now working. The best pathway out of poverty and welfare is a decent job. Child care costs have been and are a very serious challenge for many, which is why the work of the Government is focused on making child care affordable and appropriate. I hope we can make further progress in the budget.

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