Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his contribution. I wish to note that the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme was introduced by Fianna Fáil and we welcome the extra funding. However, we have heard anecdotal stories about owners of crèches feeling that they are not being supported properly and find it difficult to retain and recruit staff, which has a knock-on effect for families trying to avail of the scheme. Also, the scheme lasts a few hours each day and many crèches require people to sign up for full-time hours before they will agree to take on children. We need to address the pitfalls in the scheme and give practical support to the owners of crèches in terms of rates and similar items thus supporting families.

As for the sentiments the Minister of State has expressed about this Bill, we are happy the Government will support it and allow it to progress to the next Stage. We hope the Government will support it on Committee and Remaining Stages. The Minister of State has stated that introducing paid parental leave is the ideal, with which we agree. We ask him to table an amendment on Committee Stage to amend this Bill in order that paid leave would be allowed at a rate akin to what is available for maternity leave at present.

As I stated at the outset, I thank Deputies Shortall and Catherine Murphy. Deputy Shortall has five technical amendments that she would like to be discussed and debated on Committee Stage. As her amendments are technical in nature they will not affect the substantive matter or ultimate objectives of the Bill. I look forward to debating this matter on Committee and Remaining Stages. I also look forward to getting the support of the rest of this House to ensure that my Bill passes expediently.