Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome today's progressive budget and I welcome the Minister of State to the House.

Time does not permit me to go into all the areas that were raised today in the budget but, in general, I welcome the 2,260 extra teachers, the reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio for both primary and second schools, the respite care grant restoration which is a key area and the reduction of the USC right across the board as well as supports for the self-employed.

I will focus on the area of child care provision and the €85 million injected today under budget 2016. These are the first steps to ensuring that we have a quality and affordable child care system in Ireland. I recently held a public meeting in Galway where many of the issues that were mentioned today where raised. We now have the situation where the free preschool year will be extended. It is currently at 38 weeks per year and this will be extended by 23 weeks on average. That will mean that on average parents will make a saving of €85 per week per child. That is a significant figure for families who are out there struggling, trying to work and trying to find child care for their children.

There also will be three different times during the year where a child can enter the preschool system - September, January and April - and not only in September as it currently stands. It makes preschool more flexible for parents. One is looking at children who will be turning three or four at different stages during the year.

The two weeks' paternity benefit is a positive step for fathers and for families. Also, the capitation grant for preschools was a major issue for many child care providers, who wanted it restored.In addition, for child care providers who wanted to improve their qualifications, the learner fund is being increased by €1.2 million.