Seanad debates
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Budget 2015: Statements
4:40 pm
Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source
I would like to raise many points and welcome many measures but time does not permit me to do that. I note the increase of €26 million in the funding for the Child and Family Agency, which is very welcome, and also the additional funding of €19 million for the Oberstown child detention centre. The main issue I wish to raise is that when cuts were made to lone parent and child benefit we were lectured in this House that cash transfers were not the answer and that we needed to invest in these services. We were guaranteed "a system of safe, affordable and accessible child care in place, similar to that found in Scandinavian countries". We have not seen a single cent in this budget allocated to investment in that system. No additional money is going into it. We talk about jobs but many providers are now on the brink of collapse. They cannot provide the service the Government requires at a quality level at the rates they are getting. There has been much talk about the provision of a second preschool year. Children with special needs need that second year of early years education.
Other issues I remain concerned about include food poverty, the delivery of mental health services - we continually see a budget for it but the delivery of the services is a concern for me - and investment in community health services. We are not investing in provision for end-of-life care and neurological care and I am concerned about the gaps I see in the health budget. I want to flag those issues today. We will have many occasions in the Seanad to discuss them, but I would like to share my remaining time with my colleague, Senator Mac Conghail, who has very significant issues to raise.
Maria Byrne
Posted on 15 Oct 2014 6:09 pm (This comment has been reported to moderators)
Just a few observations on your comments about child care.I think when it comes to this issue, putting all the eggs in one basket might not be the best approach. The NCCA in its research paper "Perspectives on the relationship between education and care in early childhood" found that early childhood education is most beneficial to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.Studies have found that children from what's termed a "middle class" background can do equally well or better if they don't attend formal preschool.Many parents are providing an excellent early childhood experience for their children in their own homes with their children benefiting from a quality environment that caters to all their social, educational and other key requirements.I think it's very important to retain the element of choice which direct payments to parents allows.
I totally agree with investment in early education,but I'm nor sure if a second preschool year for all children, regardless of their parents' income is the best use of resources. There are indeed children who need the intervention,like children with special needs. but with limited resources, the most vulnerable must be the priority.
The Scandinavian model of child care is often held up as the ideal model and there are some positive aspects. However,on the negative side-in Sweden, most children over the age of 3 years old are in full time day care. I don't think this is the best system here in Ireland where there are many parents caring for children in the home and many others who'd like the option of spending more time with their children.
Of course we need to facilitate those who find themselves struggling financially, but we need more creativity and flexibility in the approach we take. I look forward to the continued debate on this.