Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Wall for raising this important issue. He has raised the issue specifically around Kilcullen in County Kildare. Truthfully, however, the issue he has raised is more widespread than that. It is not so specific to Kilcullen, but I appreciate he is advocating for the parents in that local area who are left without childcare as an opportunity to allow them to go to work and to fulfil their daily lives and their careers. It is an issue we see nationally. However, this Government is committed to core funding being introduced to all of our childcare units around the country and trying to invest in childcare. There are myriad community childcare facilities around the country, as I am sure there are in County Kildare, and privately owned ones, too. All of them have seen a transformation in how childcare is operated and delivered upon. More than anything else, providing capacity and ensuring that parents living in any area have childcare places is critical. Deputy Wall makes very valid points. It is an argument that could be replicated in lots of places around the country. County Kildare is nearly a suburb of Dublin now, with lots of parents are commuting everyday. It impacts mothers particularly when they do not have facilities or places available to them.

I will relay the issues that Deputy Wall raised pertaining to Kilcullen to the Minister with responsibility for children and disabilities, Norma Foley. I will liaise with the Minister and ask if she will meet with Deputy Wall on this specific issue around Kilcullen to see if anything more can be done in the community care setting and the private care setting to grow capacity and ensure parents in Deputy Wall's area have the childcare places they need to fulfil their daily lives.

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