Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

Yes it has. However, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan informed this House yesterday that the Government will live up to its promise next year. There is no way that child benefit will pay for child care costs. I favour tax credits as a way of extending assistance for child care costs to more people. For example, if one takes a round figure cost of €100 per week, it actually costs most people nearly €200 to pay for it when one takes income tax into account. The provision of tax credits is a reasonable way to alleviate child care costs or extend child care facilities to a greater number of people. A method should be established to ensure that those on low incomes or who are unemployed can be provided with affordable child care facilities. We are all aware that the children of lone parents can live in greater poverty than children of employed parents. Therefore, it is important that child care is provided in the locality from an early age for them.

Although the equal opportunities child care programme is providing additional places, a danger exists that the funding may run out. The national development plan only runs for five years. What will happen to these crèches then? Increasing the supply is the answer and this will also keep down costs.