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

I would like to advance a significant number of issues in this year's budget. We have spoken about some of them already, such as cutting costs for all parents, bringing childminders into the scheme so that parents can benefit from the national childcare scheme, NCS, and extending AIM so that more children with a disability can access more hours in early learning and care. We have to see where the equal participation model is in its development. I would like to extend the meals in pre-school settings, but there are many demands in this sector and this is only one part of our broad Department.

It is a little early in the process but I am looking to advance meaningful measures. The Deputy will be aware that the Taoiseach highlighted the issue of child poverty. It an issue of real importance to all three parties in the coalition. Certainly the equal participation model is specifically designed to tackle child poverty.

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