Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy's point regarding the exceptional needs payment. It is there to support people who genuinely need assistance. Nobody should be afraid to reach out to his or her local community welfare officer. As a Government, we will do the best we can to promote and highlight the fact this service is there because, at a time when many people are undoubtedly under significant cost-of-living pressures, we are not seeing an increase in the number of applications coming in, which is a surprise.

We are very anxious to reduce the costs families face. I highlight the improvements to the national childcare scheme. We have extended the universal subsidy, which will kick in for older children in the autumn. As the Deputy will know, we have provided very significant additional core funding of more than €200 million in a full year, which is the largest injection of funding into the childcare sector for many a year. That will greatly assist in ensuring those working in the sector are paid an appropriate wage and have good career opportunities and will also assist parents in dealing with the bills they are facing. That is one area that is a key priority for Government and one in which we can help people to reduce the costs they face.

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