Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the childcare providers for appearing before the committee today. I will return to an issue that was raised on the floor earlier, that is, sustainability. I caught a bit of a radio debate coming up this morning. If my understanding is correct, the ratio of children to childcare staff in the pods is 8:1. The person speaking also highlighted the fact that a second person would be needed to provide cover for somebody going to the loo and when parents come to drop off or collect a child. It seems to me that one could have 16 children and three adults. Have the witnesses looked at whether that will impact on their model?

My other question relates to the sustainability of the childcare system in terms of insurance. What is the current position with insurance? I am aware that capital supports are being provided for childcare providers to reopen, but is there any inkling of what the situation will be in terms of personal liability insurance or to cover Covid illness?