Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I repeat the point that there are significant differences between various types of single-person childminding operations. We are not just dealing with a grandmother-and-child situation. I do not think it is appropriate not to address certain childminding operations in the course of this legislation. It is a serious omission. We will not get a chance to come back to the Children First Bill. It is about the children. The Minister has drawn a distinction between someone who is an employer and someone who is an employee, but I emphasise again that it has less to do with the single individual than with the numbers of children involved. I believe this area warrants, rather than merits, address and inclusion. The Minister referred to section 7, which is at the start of Part 2 of the Bill. I am looking at what we have there. That section does not mention childminders. This Committee Stage debate will be followed by a Report Stage debate. Will the Minister take on board the concerns I am flagging? On behalf of Deputy McLellan, I will certainly reserve the opportunity to pursue any possible amendment in this regard. The Minister and I both accept that we will not get another bite at this for many years to come. I believe it should be inclusive in its address of all the scenarios where children are placed in the care of another person on a day-by-day or occasional basis. If it is to be truly inclusive, the issue of childminding has to be addressed.