Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

This morning I raised the issue of access and inclusion in child care as a Commencement matter with the Minister for children, Deputy Foley. Unfortunately, the Minister was not able to attend. However, following that, the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Councillor Liam Callaghan, was in touch with me. He raised the issue of the Boyle community childcare committee. The latest census, in 2022, highlighted the fact that 175 children living in the Boyle urban area were under the age of four. Out of 63 childcare spaces available in the town, it is likely that only 33 of them are for more than three early childhood care and education programme, ECCE, hours. That is what was available full time. I would welcome a discussion in this House on childcare once again. I remind the House that there is a commitment in the programme for Government to provide capital investment to build or purchase State-owned childcare facilities to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. I believe that particular argument refers specifically to Boyle in north west Roscommon.

I would also like to back up Senator Ahearn's call for clarity on the Storm Éowyn supports for local authorities. My own home county was one of the worst affected. I believe the local authority there is owed €1.2 million. That is not something that the local authority is able to carry indefinitely. No clarity has been given on when it will receive this payment. I support the call to try to get some clarity on that.