Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I accept what the Minister said. This scheme is optional for companies and I understand why that is the case. I also understand that we campaigned on this issue last year and we promised the parents we would deliver serious cuts to the cost of childcare, reducing it to €200 per month.

There are 11 centres throughout Dublin. As the Minister mentioned, the owners of this facility have changed the facilities in three, one of which is in my constituency in Shankill but there are two others in my constituency in Dún Laoghaire and Cherrywood. Parents in my area are really worried that the contagion, if I can call it that, is going to spread to their facilities. The increase in cost is going to be up to €340 per child per month. It is totally unacceptable. We need to take action. I accept the Minister has engaged but it does not seem to be working. Can we make sure it is going to work?

See this speech in context