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

I understand exactly what Deputy Rabbitte is raising and I thank her for doing that on behalf of the providers. I can say to her and to the providers that the Bill does not set a limit to the number of weeks of child care support. The regulations that will be made under the Bill will provide for payment of child care support for up to 52 weeks per year. Deputy Rabbitte's amendment seeks to ensure that the payment operates on a 52 week basis. It can do so, if that is what is desirable for an individual provider and family. However, if it is not desirable in the individual context, it can be done in another way, rather than nailing down a 52 week basis for payments. If we did that in the Bill, there would be unintended consequences. Instead, the Bill does not limit the number of weeks of child care support per year, and the regulations will provide that payment can be made up to 52 weeks per year.

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