Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

This is a very important motion. I thank Deputy Kerrane for tabling it. We all remember the election campaign. When we were calling to people's doors, childcare was a constant issue. In many cases, both parents have to go out to work. They need to be out of home to keep a home, and that is the honest truth. They are having difficulties sourcing places and likewise, professional childminders and childcare professionals have many problems. During the summer months when children are at home from school, these childcare professionals either have to find other work or sign on. That is not fair given that they do such a great job. They are vetted and are thoroughly professional in every way. They have to be above board and the operators that provide these services, like Little Acorns in Kilgarvan, do a great job for parents. They are a very important part of our society today.

All over County Kerry childcare professionals are doing great work. It is very responsible work. Anything to do with minding other people's children is very responsible. I know because we have run a school bus for many years. When one is in charge of other people's children, it is a fairly onerous job. I know that well. One has to be very careful and do everything right. We really appreciate those people but the costs are so high, on top of everything else. Families have massive bills to pay. Previously, it was just the mortgage that was big but now many people, after taking the advice of the SEAI on air-to-water pumps and so forth, are finding that they have massive ESB bills. One young father told me the other day that his ESB bill is more than his mortgage and likewise with childcare fees. Childcare is very costly because it has to be because we are talking about minding other people's children.

Childcare workers find it difficult during holiday time. This is not good enough. These workers should be paid all year round and have their holidays, the same as everyone else. I do not take any holidays but that is not for everyone. They do a great job, they are professionals and they have to be. They are vetted and everything has to be right. We appreciate what they are doing but we need to support them more. Families are in serious financial trouble trying to keep going. Thankfully, we have a growing population. Parents and mothers are having young babies constantly and children are our future.

We must protect our future. To do that, we must protect our children and youngsters and help them put their best foot forward. We must ensure there is a service in place for people who must go to work. It is not a luxury anymore. People must go to work to keep the door open and the roof over their heads.

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