I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill and to place on record the very real pressures facing families and childcare providers across County Kerry. While affordability is often discussed, the fundamental issue for many families is access. Quite simply, childcare places are not available. Parents contact my office daily to say that they are on multiple waiting lists and that there are no places coming up. This is having a serious knock-on effect. Parents cannot either return to work or increase their hours. They are under significant financial strain as a result. This is not an abstract policy issue. It is affecting household incomes, workforce participation and family well-being. We have top-class childcare facilities across the county of Kerry, as the Minister is well aware. We have them in Killarney, Rathmore, Cahersiveen, Dingle, Castleisland and Kenmare to mention just a few. However, the issue they all have income is the lack of places. A major reason for this is the shortage of staff. I want to highlight correspondence I received from Scamps and Scholars in Killorglin, one of the largest childcare centres in Kerry, which has been operating successfully for over 25 years. I was a member of the board of management there for quite a number of years. I know first-hand the tremendous work carried out by the staff and board of management. Despite their experience and commitment, they find themselves in a critical situation. They are struggling to recruit and retain staff. There are only 12 full-time educators. The remainder of the staff are work part-time. This has directly resulted in long waiting lists and huge frustration for parents and for staff and management, not because demand is not there but because the staff simply are not. At the heart of the problem are pay and conditions. Early years educators play a vital role in children's development and in supporting working families, yet their work continues to be undervalued. The starting rate of pay in many settings is the minimum wage of €13.65 per hour, while the current living wage is €14.75. The gap between the two matters, particularly in the context of the rising cost of living. Skilled and dedicated staff are leaving the sector in growing numbers, often moving to special needs assistant roles or other areas where their qualifications and experience are better recognised and rewarded. The introduction of an employment regulation order has been a step forward in recognising qualifications, but experience must also be valued. Years of experience and service, professional commitment and expertise need to be reflected properly in pay structures if we want to retain staff. If we fail to act, the consequences are clear, namely fewer staff, fewer childcare places, longer waiting lists, greater pressure on families and reduced workforce participation, particularly for women. This is not sustainable. Childcare providers are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for real sustainable investment, fair play and professional recognition for the people who educate and care for our youngest children. Families are asking for certainty such that when they plan to return to work, childcare places will actually be available. This Bill must be about more than intentions. It must deliver practical solutions on the ground, supporting providers to recruit and retain staff, valuing experience as well as qualifications and ensuring childcare places are available in every community, not just on paper but in reality. I urge the Minister to continue listening to those on the ground, such as providers like Scamps and Scholars, educators across County Kerry and the parents who are struggling every day to balance work and family life. If we get this right, we strengthen families, support children and protect the future of early years education in this country. I thank the Minister for her work in this area.

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