Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I said this morning that I would support the Minister's proposal to reduce the age limit of 14 years to seven years as long as child care places and parental supports are put in place in the exact manner suggested by the Minister. I remind Senator Cullinane that I like to be accurately quoted, as opposed to selectively quoted. The Senator quoted selectively during yesterday's debate on the EU treaty, for example. I ask Senator Cullinane to be accurate and to quote full sentences in the context in which they were said.

The Minister can see that everybody is supportive of her views, in principle. There is no argument there. Clarification is required on the question of whether this is a matter of Government policy. Has a Cabinet decision been taken on it? We do not doubt the Minister's sincerity but we are worried that her commitment might not be honoured in the event of a change of Minister, to take the example used by Senator Moloney. Perhaps the Minister might clarify that.

There is a good opportunity here. As Senator Moloney said, we have a network of rural schools throughout the country. That infrastructure could be used to provide a network of rural after-school places. Child care facilities popped up in many estates during the building boom, but not all of them are not being used. I am not saying that is the case everywhere or that it is universal. Some places are available in such locations. It would be useful to do an inventory of the places that might be available.

My big concern is the cost, rather than the infrastructure. There is sufficient space in the empty buildings that can be made available. I am aware that substantial costs are associated with child care. The most difficult preschool year, from a parent's point of view, is the year when one's child is in a preschool or montessori facility but also in child care. One's child might be in the preschool or montessori facility up to 12 o'clock. One has to leave work to pick the child up at that time - or get somebody belonging to one to do so - before bringing him or her to child care. It is a tough year for parents because they have to pay the full price twice in that year. I remember that I found it very difficult to move my little mite from one place to the other. It is important for the Minister to clarify the position from a Government point of view.

I have set out my main concern. I would like to know if a discussion has taken place about the cost. Is there a commitment about how the money will be found for this? To be fair, the amendment tabled by the Independent Senators offers a three-year window. Perhaps that could be achieved on a rolling basis. It might be difficult for all of this to be achieved in one go. It is possible that some of these places could be provided within a year, or up to a certain amount of time. When the Minister responds, will she set out the period of time within which she expects all of this to be in place? Does she envisage that it will be done within five years, for example?

The Independent Senators have adopted an approach whereby they are trying to make this work. There is some merit in that. However, we are living with the reality of trying to balance budgets. We must, therefore, evaluate what is possible from the Cabinet's point of view and take cognisance of the kind of financial support which might be committed in respect of this matter.