Seanad debates

Wednesday, 23 March 2005

Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages.

 

3:00 pm

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

The Senator will not have to hold it too long because there will be a major announcement next Tuesday when there will be the first official sod-turning in Sligo for the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There will be a continuous roll-out after that to which the Senator can look forward.

Taken together, these represent substantial measures to assist with the cost of child care. I accept that we are not close to a solution to this complex issue. We have a lot of ground to make up compared to some of our European neighbours. The buoyancy of our economy in recent years has brought with it a welcome increase in the demand for labour. The problem of finding satisfactory and affordable child care facilities is something parents increasingly face, particularly where both parents work outside the home. The Government will continue to focus its energy on this very real problem. Increasing the supply of child care places is the best way forward. The impact of 17,000 places under the EOCP programme should not be underestimated. I do not pretend to have all the answers, but I believe the approach the Government has taken is the appropriate one. The approach set out in Senator Phelan's recommendation would not have any real impact on increasing the number of places available.

As has been said, the Government is examining this whole issue. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs has made some suggestions. The issue is actively under review by the Government. I am not in a position to accept the recommendation.

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