Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Labour Party grouping on tabling a motion into which they clearly put much thought and research. They were very professional and dedicated in their approach to this burning issue.

The differences in the reality of politics between the Government parties and the Opposition are probably not as big as we think they are but there are differences. In her opening remarks, Senator Sherlock was generous to acknowledge that there have been some improvements. Perhaps during the lifetime of the full Government, there will be more boxes ticked, more progress made and a closing of the gap between our differences, which I believe are not insurmountable. No one can question the bona fides of the Labour Party in tabling this motion and no one can question the fact that it is a big issue. I think it was Senator Wall who said that the fees involved are like a second mortgage.

It is appropriate that the Acting Chair, Senator Flynn, who chaired the first part of this debate, has been a great advocate for so many issues. Recently, we congratulated her in the Chamber for becoming a mam. I thought that was appropriate. What was inappropriate, and this is where I agree with Senator McGreehan, is the scheduling of this debate. It is quite ironic. It affects dads, of course, as well as mams. I will not get home in time tonight to see my two young children before they go to sleep. In case there is any confusion, that is not a criticism of the Labour Party. In politics you get blamed for many things, but you cannot be blamed for the rostering and scheduling of matters.

It is great to see a gathering in the Public Gallery. It is clear this is an issue of deep concern when people have given up their evening to be here. I believe that they are a microcosm representative of Ireland.

To come down to some of the details of this, as a Senator in a party that is a member of Government, I would have to say the following. In respect of addressing the challenges of the sector, there have been extensive commitments by the Minister to address the long-standing challenges in the early learning and childcare sector, including the following: an increase to more than €1 billion per annum in State funding for the sector, reaching the investment target set in 2018 - five full years ahead of schedule; a reduction in out-of-pocket costs of early learning and childcare for families; and an increase to pay and improved conditions for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners. In respect of Government achievements, there is still much more to do and we are not getting carried away. I would be the first to put my hands up that there is more to do. However, it is important in a motion such as this to recognise the additional funding of €121 million secured in budget 2023 set to substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs of early learning and childcare for families from 2 January.

The roll-out of the early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme, which enjoys uptake rates in excess of 95%, has removed barriers to accessing preschool education. Data from Growing Up in Ireland show that more than 60% of low-income families would not have been able to send their child to preschool without this programme. In addition, work is under way to enhance this programme, with the evaluation now under way as a precursor to putting the ECCE programme on a statutory footing. The roll-out of the award-winning access and inclusion model, AIM, is supporting more than 5,000 with a disability each year to access the ECCE programme. A commitment was already made to enhance and expand AIM following the completion of this evaluation that is due to be published in early 2023.

Government initiatives in this sector include the €70 million building blocks capital programme under the national development plan that is designed to meet current and long-term early learning and childcare infrastructure needs; the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 with a commitment to opening the national childcare scheme, NCS, to childminders at the earliest possible opportunity; the tackling disadvantage fund, whereby services will be provided by the proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing its services who are experiencing disadvantage; and the workplace plan for early learning and care and school-age childcare sector 2021 to 2028, with commitments to develop career pathways, promote careers in the sector and support staff recruitment, complementing achievements and future plans to improve pay and conditions of employment in this sector. More must be done in respect of the work conditions of the people in the front line in this sector who do such a good job. So many of us in the Chamber are so grateful for the work that they do on a daily basis.

There are new initiatives being introduced by the Minister and the Department. I know the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, has prioritised this as his big issue. He works very closely with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. The introduction of the core funding scheme has an allocation of €259 million in its first year and participation rates of 94% services. It provides new minimum rates of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners, increases the wages of an estimated 73% of those working the sector. More must be done, but that is a step in the right direction I would respectfully submit.

I note the introduction of the requirement of service to offer the NCS to all eligible families, which has given rise to a 10% increase in the number of services offered in the NCS, thus substantially widening access to State support. Finally, with indulgence, there has been significant growth in capacity, allowing greater access for children and their families, as demonstrated by a 16% increase in place hours since 2019 to 2020, an increase in place hours where there is a lower supply and higher demand, including baby place hours increased by 8%, toddler place hours increased by 22% and school-age place hours, and an increase in opening hours both in term and out of term.I thank the Minister of State for her indulgence. This debate is very important and we should have more debates on this issue. I commend the Labour Party. I want to put on the record the progress the Government has made under the auspices of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman.