Mary White (Fianna Fail)

Yes, I am disappointed that he is not here. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform drives policy in this area and the Minister should be present.

Paying people €35.40 per week in the form of child benefit when a crèche place costs approximately €1,000 per month is not the way to proceed. Being obliged to pay €1,200 per month to place two children in child care is the equivalent of paying a mortgage of €240,000. In effect, people are paying second mortgages in respect of which they do not receive tax relief.