Mr. Paul Bell:

The HSE has to show some enthusiasm to gather that data and disseminate it among the stakeholders. Let us remember also that some healthcare workers were taking leave for childcare to allow their partner to go to work in the health service. Another issue is that lone parents ran into serious difficulties because they had no support whatsoever.

One other point is being lost in this discussion about the services being provided, namely, many health workers also had to pick up the slack where their comrades had to take special leave or annual leave to provide childcare. This has affected many other workers throughout the health service.

The Deputy is correct that data has to be collated with integrity and has to be something we can all work with. This issue is not going away. It has to be resolved now, given the possibility we could be facing a similar emergency again. Health professionals are telling us there is always a possibility of a rebound of this disease, which would impact on the health service.