Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I have almost concluded my contribution but will make a number of final points. It is worth noting that Ireland has its largest population since 1871 and a significant increase in the number of children under the age of six years, who now account for nearly 10% of the population. The number of women who work outside their homes has increased by 60% in recent years. Logically, we must start planning to match child care facilities to the increased number of women at work. If women are leaving their homes and going back into the workforce, we must provide more and far better child care places.

While we have witnessed a large increase in such places, the costs involved are exorbitant, which has a significant implication for grandparents. They now find themselves taking very proactive roles in their grandchildren's rearing as, invariably, parents cannot afford to put their children into crèches and will instead drop them off at grandparents' houses early in the mornings. The Government should examine the bold possibility of paying the salaries of all the people involved in early childhood education. Mr.Donogh O'Malley took the bold step of introducing free secondary school education, which was radical in its time. We have free primary school education and teachers therein are paid in this way. We also have free third level education. It makes sense for the State to become involved at pre-school level, which has been the case in France for a number of years. The advantage of this over other schemes is that it would eliminate costs and ensure that parents who used crèche facilities would receive a direct bonus from it.

I am wary of tax breaks, exemptions and credits, which are an accountant's dream. I am unsure that the consumer will ultimately benefit from them. The obvious way that we, as legislators, can eliminate the costs of child care is to examine the possibility of paying the salaries of the people providing early childhood education. It would allow the State to control the quality of early childhood education on offer. While there may be some great facilities available I have heard stories of certain crèches that are perhaps lacking in good standards. By becoming involved, the State could regulate and inspect the relevant crèches and early pre-schools.

It is time to move on. In his speech on 28 September, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, referred to a White Paper but that was fudging the issue. We are behind schedule and must take radical steps. If the State becomes involved in the payment of salaries, it will make a profound difference for people who are paying, on average, €800 per month on child care, which is the cost of a mortgage. It is having a significant impact on couples who should be enjoying themselves, as they are now burdened by a mortgage on a house and what is effectively a mortgage on child care.