James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his attendance to debate some significant issues relating to the Government's work on the Bill, which I greatly welcome. I do so bearing in mind that during the most recent general election campaign, one of the most prominent issues for many people in my constituency and nationally concerned the challenges facing young families who are starting out trying to secure childcare, with all that entails. When we move beyond the current climate of Covid-19, it will be very important for the Minister and all the members of the Cabinet to focus on identifying and addressing many of the specific challenges with childcare. That would be a very prudent step for the Government to take.

I say that because when one speaks to people who work in the sector or are affected by it, there is a general consensus regarding all aspects of childcare that people are deeply frustrated and unhappy with the current level of services provided. Ireland has a modern economy but we still face many challenges dealing with the gender pay gap, and it will take many years for that to be resolved. Nevertheless, this is one issue that will ensure there is not discrimination against women in order that they can secure childcare and that they will be enabled to return to work.

My mother worked throughout my childhood and I feel very proud of her for doing so. I hope that one day every person born in the State will have the same opportunity, whereby they will be able to enjoy a full career if they wish to do so. In addition, for those parents, whether male or female, who decide to remain in the home to provide support for their children, it is critical that we acknowledge the work they do and the importance of that from an economic standpoint. For parents who decide to remain at home, there is a stigma in many cases but they provide a specific service and that has to be recognised from an economic standpoint.

When I was going into politics, this was one of the issues I greatly underestimated, perhaps because of my age. Naturally, it is not an issue that people of my age group are immersed in, and perhaps I am guilty of that, but now, as many people who are a few years ahead of me are starting out in their family lives, I see that it is an issue of great concern. That is particularly the case now that many young people get an education, whether through doing an apprenticeship or going on to institutes of technology or universities or to undertake FETAC degrees, and unfortunately, they can be in a significant level of debt by the time they enter their late 20s or 30s and are starting a family. We have to do everything we can as a modern, dynamic economy to ensure we cover as many bases as possible, while also remembering that people in working in childcare need the full support and attention of the Department and the Government.

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