Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to bring the Childcare Support Bill 2017 to Committee Stage. When I introduced the Bill to the Seanad on Second Stage I was grateful for the strong support I received from all sides of the House and for the constructive engagement from Senators. In addition to the amendments I am proposing today, I would like to signal in advance that I may propose one final amendment on Report Stage. This amendment relates to the list of issues specified in section 8 of the Bill. Section 8 lists the issues which may be included within the contract that childcare providers will be asked to sign should they wish to take part in the affordable childcare scheme. The potential Report Stage amendment, which I am still examining, reflects my desire to ensure that the Bill is future-proofed and leaves open the possibility of including a sufficient range of potential levers to effectively enhance the quality of childcare provision.

Amendments Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are technical drafting amendments. Under the affordable childcare scheme, personal public service, PPS, numbers will be provided as part of applications for financial support. PPS numbers are referred to in sections 7 and 9 of the Bill, however section 7 includes a specific reference to the definition of PPS number in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 while section 9 does not. The amendment addresses this minor inconsistency to ensure that there is a single clear definition of a PPS number which applies throughout the Bill.

Amendment No. 1 inserts a definition into section 1, the section which sets out the interpretation of terms used throughout the Bill. The definition ties the term "personal public service number" to its use in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Amendments Nos. 2 and 3 are consequential on amendment No. 1 and delete definitions of "personal public service number" that appear in section 7 of the Bill.