Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the amendment I sought reassurance for child care providers. While I accept what the Minister said, that it was part of the policy review, they seek reassurance that they have guaranteed income for 52 weeks. In other words, any provider that has signed up to the various subsidies will have that income to count on. When they are preparing their budget, it will not vary much. That is the concern of the child care providers, which I am trying to echo on their behalf. We can talk about flexibility within the scope of the Bill, but the payment is key. Pobal makes the payments on a week-by-week basis. In the beginning, the affordable child care scheme was administered on the basis of half-days, partial days, etc.

While I accept what the Minister said, I am still not convinced that the 52 weeks are captured in this provision. While there is flexibility, it is not borne out, to be quite honest. I am trying to ensure that a child care provider can prepare its budgets week in, week out, and can depend on income from Pobal for 52 weeks.

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