Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and his officials to the House to debate this important aspect of social and economic policy. The Minister's statement laid out very comprehensively what is being done in this area and the rationale behind it. I am aware of the research and expert views that underlie these policy considerations, and it is great to have this overview. I am delighted the interdepartmental group is exploring ways in which our investment in early years education and care can deliver better outcomes for all children. In particular, I look forward to the publication of an early years strategy in June. The interdepartmental group has consulted widely with stakeholders, including parents, in the course of its work. In fact, the Minister extended the original time given for the consultation process, which was very welcome and was reflected in the number of submissions received.

I submitted a proposal to the working group in collaboration with Deputy Stephen Donnelly in which we made several recommendations which, if implemented, would bring early years education and care provision in Ireland more into line with international best practice. I acknowledge that this also is the Minister's intention. We recommended in particular that the group look to Finland as an example of a country where family policy is viewed as an essential part of economic and social strategy and where educational outcomes for all children are some of the best in the world. Like Finland, we need to change the narrative on this issue from having a focus solely on social policy to a broader discussion that is inclusive of economic strategy. The Minister touched on this when he referred to investment in early years education. In 2015, he indicated, our investment in this area will be €260 million, which is less than 2% of GDP. In 2013, by contrast, it was around 2%. One of the reasons for this decrease is a good reason, namely, that our GDP is rising. However, we need to be attentive to that. Given that the Department of Finance is forecasting a GDP of €198 billion in 2015, we would need to invest €396.55 million this year, or some €129 million more than the Minister is proposing, in order to keep the provision at 2.2% of GDP. That percentage measure is the means by which we can compare ourselves with other countries in order to determine best practice.

Senator Keane spoke about the large return on investment in early childhood care and education. The benefits that are there to be availed of certainly do require investment, but investment alone will not guarantee success. We need a long-term vision for what success actually looks like. I understand the Department is considering an action plan to achieve that vision. It requires a consideration of what is best for children in each year of their life and the provision of services and supports to promote the best educational, social and health outcomes regardless of individual family and socioeconomic circumstances.

Some of the recommendations Deputy Donnelly and I put forward were also endorsed by the expert advisory group on the early years strategy, which was established by the previous Minister at the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. The Minister, Deputy Reilly, indicated that the report of that expert group is informing the work of the interdepartmental group he has established. I hope the earlier report does have a significant influence on where the Minister is going with the current group and that we see progress towards an implementation plan.

It is widely accepted by leading experts in the field that children benefit from parental care during the first year of life. Sensitive and responsive parent-child relationships are associated with stronger cognitive skills and social competence and linked to better work skills. Senator Keane referred to parental leave and proposals for extending it beyond the current six-month entitlement to a provision of 12 months. That is what we recommended, and it is also the recommendation of UNICEF. We recommend, too, that the role of fathers be recognised as part of a progressive family policy. International evidence shows that paternity leave can promote women's participation in the labour force, boost male participation in household responsibilities and improve father-child relationships and bonding. Most men who have children would be very supportive of that. I welcome the recent indication by the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, that consideration is being given to how we might realise those aims.

As children grow, their needs change. The evidence shows that from age two and beyond, children do better in high-quality early years education and care services than if they remain at home. In particular, as shown from the extensive and excellent work done in this area by organisations such as Early Childhood Ireland, Start Strong and the Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative, vulnerable children in families experiencing high levels of disadvantage or with complex needs benefit from entering the early childhood care and education services at a younger age. The Minister's comments regarding children with special needs was well articulated and I look forward to his recommendations in that regard.

More generally, we need to extend entitlements to early childhood care and education services to all children from three years of age onwards and for 48 weeks per year. Simultaneously, we must make sure early childhood care and education is of a high quality. The current programme should be improved by investing in the professionalisation of the sector and all that goes with it. We must look carefully at how to prioritise aspects of that investment to improve professional standards and ensure our professionals are supported. That includes increasing investment so that staff can be paid for non-contact time, receive holiday pay and avail of continued professional development.

Another excellent recommendation from the expert advisory group was to strengthen child and family support services by establishing a dedicated service led by child and family public health nurses. This would provide integrated support for parents and children spanning the antenatal period and through the early years. I could say a lot more about this but my time is up. I look forward to further engagement with the Minister as we move towards the publication of the early years strategy.