Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I am sure many Members are getting e-mails that it is already under threat. Up to 81,000 places are needed for next year. The cap of €64.50 per child per week the Minister of State has put on the fee is unworkable. No preschool provider can produce places at such a cost. All the providers are seeking is the possibility for the parents to top up the fee. There are serious quality issues as well but we are serious about the quality of education. This is one of the best schemes the Government has ever proposed. Evidence shows there is more of a return from preschool education in the long term than anything else but only if it is of quality and is workable.