Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all need affordable childcare. We all acknowledge the burden that high fees for early learning and childcare places on families. It is vital that providers, parents, staff and all other stakeholders work together to ensure that the welcome increased investment in the sector of €221 million does not fall at the first hurdle and that similar funding is also provided in 2023.

We know there are legacy issues and that the Minister is working on them. He is as committed as I am to reducing the burden for parents who pay high fees, to ensure better pay for staff and to provide those who operate businesses with the supports to do so. The intention in terms of linking of the new funding model with a potential employment regulation order is to direct public investment into improving quality for children. We must all support that.

Earlier today, I spoke with childcare professionals, childcare providers and parents. There is a sense that everyone is adopting a "wait and see" with regard to the core funding model. Many providers with whom I have spoken will wait until the contract is published in June. I would ask that the ERO be published as soon as possible. I call on everyone to work together to achieve this. It is important that we do not pit parents against providers or vice versa. It is important that this be published so that we can all make informed decisions.

I am concerned about the core funding model being unfair to small providers such that they might have to close and the impact this could have on families and children. These are concerns I am hearing from providers, parents and staff. We have to strike a balance. I know the Minister is aware of this. I welcome the recent OECD country policy review of early childhood education and care which states: "We are currently pursing a strong policy agenda and adopted a long-term whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families up to 2028." We are committed to improving access to affordable and quality early childhood education and care provision. I support all of us working together. While we all welcome motions and amendments, all of us need to be working together. We have a great committee in the children's committee, where we work well with the Minister. All of us can work together to do what needs to be done. We have to make sure that childcare is affordable. As the Minister said, we now have a roadmap. A lot of funding is being allocated to this area. We need to make sure there is delivery. We need to work together to deliver for everybody in the childcare sector.

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