Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

Many families in every part of the country, in rural as well as urban areas, simply cannot find a childcare place. This is a real problem. If they find a place, it is excessively expensive because provision is so scarce. The Government came forward at election time and said it would provide childcare at €200 per month and also do this, that and the other. In line with what a politician famously noted in the past, this seems to be the sort of thing that is said at elections but is not followed through on subsequently. There is a real challenge here for the Minister to make sure the Government follows through on its promises to provide childcare places, make them affordable and ensure that those engaged in early childhood education are properly remunerated for their work and respected for the huge work they do and the foundations they lay for children's futures. To ensure that happens, the Minister must step up to the mark and do what she promised to do. That is really all we are asking.

I compliment Deputy Kerrane on putting forward this motion. However, I am very disappointed with the Minister's amendment, which backtracks even on what is in the programme for Government. We have a real distance to go. There is huge disappointment not just within the sector but among the many thousands of parents across the country who are really frustrated because they cannot get a childcare place or, if they do, find the cost is like paying another mortgage. This is a time in people's lives, with a young family, when they have all kinds of expenses, including a mortgage or high rent, a car if they are living rurally, insurance and all of those costs. They absolutely need Government support at this stage in their lives. It is vital that the Government recognises that providing adequate childcare places and properly looking after those working in early education is an investment that will pay off in the future by ensuring we move forward to a better society.

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