Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to what has been a good debate on the equal opportunities child care programme. My first-hand experience of this is in the north inner city of Dublin. Over recent years it has provided opportunities in training, education and employment to communities ravaged by four or five generations of unemployment. It gives people a choice. Whatever mechanisms are used, be it tax relief or otherwise, we should not forget that the original thrust of this programme was to provide opportunities for people to advance themselves and their families.

Child care was at the bottom of the list of priorities for several years in many communities. It was provided by mothers and grandmothers as structured child care did not exist in these areas. In the overall context, though, the programme has come very far. The Minister outlined figures for improvement but we must keep in mind the programme's aim.

I agree with Senator White that the earlier a child is brought inside a structured environment, the better for the community. At that stage the benefits of the investment will come to fruition. The programme has been a step in the right direction but there is still work to be done on it. There are issues to which we must adapt due to recent developments in economics and so on, issues such as infrastructure and the provision of services like child care. I hope the rate of progress is maintained as the programme has done much to improve the situation in what was always an area overseen by women. I bow to their superior knowledge regarding this but it is not a women-only issue.

The tenor of family life and the family unit have changed. Families can comprise a single mother or father or both parents working. However, the burdens are the same for everyone. We must concentrate on relieving these to some extent. This is a hugely important issue, not only for disadvantaged areas but for the country as a whole.