Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have fantastic workers in our childcare sector who we should be immensely proud of, but I feel they do not get the credit they deserve. That is why I am starting on this point. We have these workers who do so much for so little, and who prepare children so well for their school life. I have seen this first-hand as a school principal, particularly the preparation by the preschools and what they put into the work. For example, Aistear is one programme where a lot of preparation and meticulous planning is involved. I want to put on record that the work these childcare workers are doing is second to none. They need to be valued and respected. We can all utter nice words here but if that is not matched by properly financing and assisting them, then it is no good.

I sincerely hope that we support the childcare sector - the workers and the providers - and parents, who need assistance as well, in the forthcoming budget. We all know that childcare costs have risen to an all-time high and, for many parents, they can be like another mortgage. There are many issues that need to be addressed within the childcare sector. I am hopeful that we can get to grips with these because I feel we will be failing our children and the State if we do not. We need to ensure that everybody is looked after and that we have true equality and true inclusion in that our children are able to attend a childcare facility.

We know that, at the minute, there is very little incentive for childcare providers to continue. Hopefully, there will be changes. I will end on that note.

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