Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their submissions and apologise if I am repeat any of the points I missed on my way to the Chamber. The first question I want to ask is sort of a follow-up to the last session, during which we heard from representatives of the nursing unions about the problems essential healthcare workers have faced. The Department, in its submission to the committee, states that the scheme of childcare for essential healthcare workers had to be cancelled because it was not possible to meet all the requirements that would have made it attractive to providers. Ms Grant referred to the insurance element. Can she elaborate - briefly, because we are stuck for time - on any other elements that were an obstacle to the scheme's introduction? Were they just insurance-related or were they also to do with premises costs such as the payment of rents and rate? Was a lack of sick pay a factor? I ask one of the witnesses to elaborate briefly on the barriers that stopped the scheme working.