Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

I will raise these issues with the Minister, Deputy Foley, but I know she is aware of them already. I will discuss with her the measures we can put in place now to further increase the supply of new homes and the new childcare places that accompany those new homes. We have measures in place now with regard to helping with the recruitment and retention of staff and with the provision of childcare facilities within places of employment. We also have schemes available to help with capital costs to encourage the private sector to provide more childcare places.

As Deputy Currie has said, we need to look at the role the State itself can play in more actively supporting the sector in terms of the provision of places. The progress we have tried to make in the affordability of childcare has essential social benefits in delivering equality within the workplace and within the home, which is important. There are also important additional economic reasons for doing so. At a time of full employment, it becomes even more important to look at how we can help those living in and contributing to our country to return to the workplace, and childcare is an essential way in which we will do that. We have an array of different measures in place that are making a difference but I will work with the Minister, Deputy Foley, on this. I know she will be approaching me on these issues to see what further progress we can make.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter.

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