Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive explanation of the Bill. I do not want to repeat what my colleagues have said. However, I experienced a physical reaction and pain when thinking of the children who need this law to protect them. It is disturbing and upsetting.

Representatives from the national nursery association are sitting in the Gallery. Some of us were at the association's press launch last week. I support the tremendous job its members do.

Some of my colleagues and I met with the Minister for Finance today to discuss the matter of child care. One if the issues we raised is that capital allowance is a total disaster. It is as non-beneficial to child care costs as the first-time buyer's grant. The capital allowance that developers receive is increasing the price of property before it gets to the provider. I ask the Minister of State to encourage the Government to address the failure of capital allowance to provide an economic child care cost.

The Government's response to child care through the children's allowance scheme is ridiculous. Last year, the then Minister for Finance said it would continue to address the costs for child care through the children's allowance. However, many people do not use it for that purpose. If child care costs €180 or €190 per week, the monthly children's allowance is not adequate. It is ridiculous and useless.

The Government has an opportunity to initiate a modern child care policy. It is a complex issue. We told the Minister so. The report is a 26-page document. The issue of child care crosses 11 Departments. The Minister of State mentioned the concept of a silo. If we had vision, we would bring child care under the remit of one Department. I do not know whether that will be achieved. The Government must start, in the next budget, to find a solution for child care for different income groups and disadvantaged children.