Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister expects the report to be done by the end of September then. That would be very welcome. I remember when it was first spoken about by the previous Minister. I would have welcomed the fact that we would have an independent report into the cost of providing childcare because it is very difficult. We know for a fact the workers are not paid enough. We know for a fact that many providers are struggling and find it difficult to keep their doors open. We also know that parents constantly face a battle, first to try to access places and, second, when it comes to the costs. Many people, therefore, in particular women, end up perhaps having to work part-time or to take parental leave on days when they would not have envisaged doing so. They find themselves in all sorts of situations just to try to juggle the costs. It is difficult to see who benefits from the high cost. It is certainly not the workers. The vast majority of providers, particularly in rural areas, are perhaps one or two-women operations.

I really welcome the fact that the report will be published and I look forward to getting a copy.

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