Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I might begin with Deputy Barry's questions on the campaigners' call for the universal payment to be doubled. I would love to see that, but it will require significant additional investment. I have indicated that I am committed to doing that in the next budget. I achieved a significant increase in investment for this year and am looking for something similar in 2018. We are far behind where we want to be in terms of Government investment in child care. That happened as a result of how recent Governments responded to this issue. I anticipate that Deputies will support the request for additional investment in September as I work on budget 2018. That is how we will increase the universal payment.

As to an additional staff grant, we are examining that issue in the context of assigning financial analysts to work one-on-one with services with a view to assessing their business models and their requests for money or more staff supports to provide child care in light of levels of need in their respective areas.

I acknowledge the commitment to the early years sector to which Deputy Ó Laoghaire referred. I understand that the grants are taking a while. That is disappointing, but they are coming. As I indicated, money is being made available and financial analysts to work directly with those services that need them will be appointed. We will provide non-contact time grants again, probably this June. Those are additional moneys. We hope to progress our independent review in 2017.

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