Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Smith, for coming to the House and the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment. I welcome the introduction of the community childcare subvention scheme. I congratulate the Minister of State on a number of aspects of the scheme in particular. I am pleased the total funding for the scheme will be increased by 16%. I particularly welcome the fact that the scheme seeks to direct funding on a more targeted basis. It will support all community based child care services regardless of their location. It will be based on the actual number of children of disadvantaged parents using their services, opening up the support funding for community services throughout the country and standardising the way services and individual parents benefit from affordable child care. It demonstrates the Government's continued commitment to child care and measures targeted at tackling social inclusion, a commitment reiterated in the new programme for Government.

However, there are a number of concerns that some vulnerable parents may be disadvantaged inadvertently. When the Minister of State came to the Seanad some time ago he assured Members there would be ongoing analysis of this situation. Will the Minister give the House an update on the commencement of the community childcare subvention scheme?