Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On the specific issue of childcare, which is directly within my control, we have demonstrated through the research that the NCS is delivering for one-parent families. Since the report was compiled, we removed the deduction of wrap-around care for children whose parents are not in work or further education. That will benefit approximately 5,000 young children, including some of those most at risk of poverty. It is a significant innovation, which we were able to bring in early, in May this year. As I have said before, we are looking to invest more money in the NCS this year and, again, that will benefit more one-parent families.

I take the Deputy's point on the wider measures, particularly those in the area of social protection. I engage with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, on these issues as part of the pre-budget process and I will be doing so again this year.

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