John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I compliment Senator Mansergh on his comments, which are correct. We could all list off child care facilities. There are two or three major problems in this regard because one arm of Government does not appear to know what the other is doing. I recently heard about the case of a group in County Kerry which received a grant for €1.5 million to build a child care facility even though it does not have planning permission or a site on which to build. There are at least two or three groups in my county that have sites and planning permission but cannot get the money to build much needed child care facilities. These are often co-operative community groups that come together to try to do something on the ground. I do not think anything substantive is being done.

I dispute the Minister of State's response in the area of child benefit. I do not think this has done anything substantial to alleviate the difficulties in this area. I realise it has risen to the top of the agenda. Senator Mansergh was correct. I am pleased he nailed his colours to the mast so clearly and said the matter should be dealt with first and foremost. It is probably the most important and urgent issue at present after seven or eights years of inaction. The Senator outlined how it was part of the Fianna Fáil manifesto in 1997, but it has done nothing in the seven or eights years since. Even if there is a belated response, I hope it will be made. There are different bleatings in recent days about paying grandmothers to mind children. My mother, who minds four children, is absolutely delighted. She has been asking when will I start to have children if she will get paid to mind them. Such imaginative thinking is required and I am glad there seems to be a sense of urgency with regard to this matter. I am disappointed that the recommendation will not be accepted. I understand what the Minister of State is saying in that this amendment would not benefit people who do not pay tax. However, I am disappointed the Government did not use the opportunity presented by this Finance Bill to make a substantive proposal with regard to the area of child care. The issue is again being put on the long finger.