Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

We are talking about 13 not-for-profit community crèches here. There are 87 jobs at stake and 349 children involved: 44% of those children come from one-parent families; 73% come from families that can only continue on the basis of State income support; and 33% have specific disadvantage. The demands of the campaigners are straightforward. Apart from the emergency funding already mentioned there are three demands. First, the universal payment per child per hour should increase from €4.60 to €9.20, that is, it should be doubled. Second, there should be additional staff grants. Third, their work should be recognised not just in terms of value for labour activation but in terms of what it is, that is crucial early years intervention. I would like the Minister to comment on those demands from these campaigners who provide such a vital service within these communities.

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