Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Certainly, we need the voluntary sector here. Naíonra Chaisleáin Nua is a voluntary crèche. I salute the current board there, who work tirelessly, and Helen Nic Craith, who set it up. It was her dream. We need to support those people because these are voluntary boards. We should not remove them or stifle them with bureaucracy. It is the same with the section 39 workers. It is fine for the Minister to say she has no responsibility for their wages. They need to be properly resourced and funded. Early years are so vital for the children. This is rud iontach ar fad, daoine óga ag foghlaim Gaeilge. It is through fun and sport. All my children, or most of them, went to it. It is bursting at the seams. Staff might go to other services but they go into different areas as well. They are well-qualified and it is hard to retain them, especially when the funding is not put in to support these voluntary groups. There are thousands of them around the country. We should not kill off the spirit of enthusiasm and entrepreneurship among volunteers who get nothing out of it only love of community and education. It is a pity. We need to support them whatever way we can.

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