Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. You always leave something out whenever you make your initial contribution. I should have been clearer that when I spoke about leasing back to providers, I was not saying this should involve only private providers, but I do feel they are under financial pressure and this would alleviate that. Core funding is working to increase stability and capacity, but there are lots of trusted, experienced providers that want to expand their services into new buildings and units, and this would assist them. It says very clearly in the report that this model would open up new opportunities for small to medium-sized childcare providers and community-led partnerships, fostering a supportive environment for the childcare sector. It would also act as a stepping stone to State-led public childcare provision in the future. We can have a debate about public, State-led childcare or private childcare. This would facilitate a hybrid model, and that is rooted in the reality of people needing childcare in their communities. I like to think that, when I come to the House, I do so with common-sense, achievable, practical solutions in the now, not just reflecting an ideological position.

What the Minister has said is great. I would be happy with the proposal of a State model of acquisition and lease back of early learning and childcare facilities to be included as part of the Department's work. There is, however, an urgency to this. I think we all agree on that. My colleagues agree on it across the House. I know the Minister is working on the bigger picture, but what can be done now? The exemptions in respect of one-bedroom apartments could be ended now. I refer to the guidance for local authorities that I have met. My reports and the work I do are evidence-based. I have consulted planners in Fingal and others areas, and the technical guidance is not mandatory. I accept what Senator Cassells said about Meath county childcare committee but, as I said initially, there is inconsistency across the country as to how closely county childcare committees work together, especially as regards referrals of planning applications and their input. I think we could strengthen the county childcare committees. They do very valuable work. That is something we could move on now. We could skill up our local authorities. Again, we could do that now. Perhaps the Minister would consider things we can do now and I ask that there be an opportunity for public consultation on the planning guidelines.

After-school services are an issue for us as well in Dublin West. We need to go further than the Minister for Education's guidelines.I would like to see something similar to the sports capital grant whereby the Department has a programme and offers capital grants to schools. Schools can use the building during the day and the Department can use it for after-school care. That would be a good step forward. Certain schools have just shut off the idea of after-school care but that would be a good carrot.

The issue of core funding has come up a lot today. I am not in the space of saying childcare is a high-profit sector, that people are not in trouble and it is up to them if they want to withdraw from core funding. I am also not saying it is completely loss-making for everybody and that there is no hope. I really believe in the model the Minister has come up with. It is a great model but there are just too many providers at the moment, of varying sizes, that are struggling. Continued engagement with them will really assist so that they feel heard. The point was made that there has been a 15% increase, but some providers are telling me they are only getting between 2.5% and 7%. A 61-page document for core funding landed with them and they feel this is an example of excessive paperwork and administration. The rates of pay for their staff have gone up to €17 per hour, an increase of 40% over the past five years. They are facing rising costs for things such as sick pay, breastfeeding breaks and so on. All of the costs that affect other industries are also affecting childcare and it is only right the Minister's Department gets the necessary funding. As the Minister has said, we have come a long way. He spoke about €1 billion in advance of 2028 but he has our support to ask for more to safeguard the vital services parents depend on. Parents are putting the names of children they have not yet had on waiting lists and are paying €600 in non-refundable deposits. They are scared about three-year waiting lists and are literally basing their life, career and household budget decisions around childcare. Let us make sure we continue to deliver for them and work with our invaluable providers in the sector.