Simon Harris

So I do think it's something that we can do reasonably quickly and I do think it's something we can make more progress on in the next budget and I don't think I'm alone in that and I know Minister Norma Foley

is doing a good job on that.

But I have to say the next bit too, it'll only work if we have the places, right?

So, I mean, there's as many people in my constituency who contact me about trying to get their child into a childcare place as there is about the cost.

I'm not suggesting the cost isn't too high, it is.

We have reduced, as you know, the cost of childcare on many occasions through the National Childcare Subsidy Scheme.

There's not a parent listening to this programme.

So this is the point, right?

If we look at any item in isolation, we're not going to make the progress.

So I've said what I've said in relation to the 200 euro per child per month.

That's not just my commitment.

That's a commitment to the government of Ireland to get there during the lifetime.

I think that means making progress in each of the next four budgets, right?

That's my view.

But we also alongside that have to make progress on capacity.

And that's why this year we did for the very first time put in place capital funding to invest in public buildings.

We can't leave this to the market alone.

It's why today, as it happens coincidentally, the Minister for Children is meeting with representatives working in the childcare sector.

We put money into the budget around their pay, which is important to people we entrust to mind our children.

And it's why we've also taken a number of steps in the last budget to help children most in need.