Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I call for a debate in the House on child care as a matter of urgency. It is the most significant issue for the 18 to 44 year old cohort of people having children. Child benefit is the Government's primary fiscal instrument to deal with child care but the payment is only €32 per week. The Government thinks it is doing something about child care but it costs €88 per week for the cheapest crèche and up to €190 per week for a private facility.