Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not know how short I can be, but I will speak quickly.

My response to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce is that we recognise childcare is a huge challenge. Do we recognise the flexibility required in our family and working lives? Deputy Kate O'Connell and I have developed a policy on flexible childcare and childminders in the home. I might send it to the chamber as I would like to hear its opinion on it.

Mr. Sharpe answered the question about the national planning framework.

In response to Ms King and Dr. Gibbons of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Government spending must prioritise spending aimed at mitigating risk and enhancing resilience in the economy. If the reduction in the VAT rate for the hospitality sector was to be removed, coupled with an increase in the national minimum wage, what negative effects for the industry would they anticipate? I ask the question in the context of the 148,000 people employed in the hospitality sector, including 15,500 in the Border counties and 50,000 in Dublin. It is easy to make a sweeping statement without understanding what the outcome and knock-on effect would be. I imagine there would be job losses were the reduction in the VAT rate to be reversed.

I also wish to correct the record. It is important that I do so. Ms King said no houses were built or provided in County Wicklow. Members will know that housing provision is a priority for me. In 2017 in County Wicklow 35 houses were provided under the heading of build-acquisition-leasing, while 437 were provided under the HAP scheme and the rental accommodation scheme, RAS. The HAP scheme is only a short-term solution until we get supply up and running. No one has ever said where we are going to house people while we do that. The target in 2018 in County Wicklow is 214-----