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

I thank Deputy Funchion for bringing forward this Private Members' motion. I was on the children's committee of which Deputy Funchion was also a member and I know how dedicated she is to this area. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and I are equally committed to it. I thank our childcare workers and providers for their commitment and work throughout the pandemic.

I welcome the opportunity to debate this motion on the early care sector. I will be supporting the amendment put forward by the Minister. I will explain why. During the negotiations on the programme for Government, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and I put childcare at the front and centre of our proposals. The programme for Government commitment puts childcare front and centre in terms of delivery. The work of the Minister since taking office has, I hope, shown the childcare providers, staff and organisations his commitment to engage and to ensuring that families, providers and staff are front and centre. In creating that pathway, which Deputy Funchion and I talked about during lengthy discussions in the committee, we need to ensure we appreciate and acknowledge the professionalism of the childcare and early years sector. We are committed to doing that. I am supporting the amendment because I see the vision in terms of where we want to get to.

I agree with colleagues on this side of the House on the need to put the funding with the sector. That was demonstrated as well. On 13 March 2020, one week after Covid hit, funding was increased by €11 million per month. The Minister has now increased funding to €34 million per month. This time last year, he secured the support of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, for a special sectorial arrangement for the childcare sector. The EWSS remains in place in the sector. In all but name, it is a public childcare sector. I have every faith in the Minister in terms of the work he has put in with regard to the budget for next year. I support the amendment he has put forward.

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