Marie Moloney (Labour)

I thank the Minister of State. It would be impossible for a parent working in an urban area which could be miles from the school his or her child is attending - I sent my children to a rural school which was many miles from where I was working - to leave work to collect the child from school and take him or her to a child care facility and return to work. The Government must, therefore, address the issue of rural child care services.

Parents who are recipients of jobseeker's allowance and so on must be available for work. This requirement should not be applied as stringently to lone parents. I have discussed this issue with the Minister. Unless proper child care services are in place, in particular after school services, in rural areas, the reduction in the age limit to seven years will not work. The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service provides a fantastic service for parents in Tralee. Children are picked up from school, taken to their centre and provided with assistance in doing homework which is followed by activities. Funding will have to be provided to develop services such as these.