Mary White (Fianna Fail)

During the time of the previous Seanad I produced a document entitled A New Approach to Child Care. I ask that the Minister of State with responsibility for children come to the House and explain the details of the new community child care subvention scheme 2008-10, as some confusion exists. His motivation and intentions behind the changes are first class because it will direct funding towards disadvantaged children.

I refer to the frightening headlines in the Irish Examiner yesterday about abuse, bullying and neglect of children in crèches. All Members know that the women of Ireland are major stakeholders and major drivers of the Celtic tiger. Before the era of economic immigrants, the women of Ireland drove the Celtic tiger. I am sure that many of the parents and women who still carry the responsibility for the care of children must be petrified. They go out to work and must commute from 6 a.m., returning at 7 p.m. They seek clarification of these reports and they want transparency in the standards and vetting applied to child care facilities. Will the Leader invite the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brendan Smith, to the House as soon as possible to explain the position in order that parents can have peace of mind in regard to crèches?