Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I extend my sincerest sympathy and condolences to the Minister, Teachta Katherine Zappone, on the recent loss of her wife, Ann Louise Gilligan, whose contribution to Irish life was very significant and noteworthy. I did not know her very well, but I have to say that on the occasions I met her, even if it was only for seconds, I always felt better after meeting her. Táimid leis an Aire ag an uair dheacair seo dá saol agus tá mo chomhbhrón agus comhbhrón Shinn Féin léi fosta.

Ba mhaith liom an rún seo os ár gcomhair a mholadh. Tá mo bhuíochas ag dul do Teachta Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire as ucht é a chur faoi bhráid na Dála. Tá mé buíoch fosta den Teachta Kathleen Funchion fá choinne an obair a rinne sí ar an ábhar seo. This is a very important motion which I hope all Teachtaí will support. It calls on the Government to immediately address the issue of the extra administrative requirements which will be added to providers owing to the extension of the affordable child care scheme.

I recently met representatives of the Cox's Demense Youth and Community Project which does fantastic work with children and young people. Cox's Demense is a very disadvantaged area and the people who work in the scheme and many other volunteers do so through an after school service, a family support hub, a teen parents support programme, training schemes and the Garda youth diversion project. They have identified major concerns with the affordable child care scheme which they believe will impact negatively on their ability to offer after school services. They were not consulted and their opinions were not sought which I am sure was not the intention of the Minister. Those involved in the Cox's Demense project have come together with those involved in four other community projects in County Louth which share the same concerns, namely, Lios na nÓg, Hidden Treasures, Muirhevnamor Community Youth Project and the Moneymore after school club. They have produced a document which I have sent to the Minister. I hope she will have time to consider it.

The major problem is that the affordable childccare scheme will not cover children who currently avail of after school services. I am sure the Minister recognises from her own work and life experiences the value of these projects which act as early intervention mechanisms, especially for children who are at risk and might not have another adult to whom to turn. If that is not changed, the services will close. I have met quite a few of the young people involved and they are vulnerable. They are from dysfunctional families and so on. We need to make sure we cherish them all.

Ba mhaith liom an rún seo a mholadh chuig an Dáil agus iarraim ar achan Teachta tacú leis.

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