Ms Marian Quinn:

Absolutely. I believe that, at all times, the better the consultation, the better it is. One can have a group think to identify issues and what are the possible solutions. Then we can work together in choosing the best solution. This should definitely happen at all stages, no matter what we are doing, be it Covid-19 related or at any stage of investment. There are multiple representative organisations. The Association of Childhood Professionals is a voluntary organisation, which means we are literally all working in our own different areas in trying to provide for and represent all the professionals in our sector. I would liken it to what happens in Government with elected Deputies where there are Independents and the different parties. Everybody has a slightly different agenda or a need to represent their members in the best possible way they can. It will never suit all people because people will have different ideas and they are able to bring them forward. Sometimes it is unfortunate when ideas are at polar opposites because it can create for a very confusing state for anyone who is listening who does not live it daily.

On the matter of funding the services, without a doubt we need a reasonable amount of funding to be able to support providers in reopening and in staying open, and in looking forward to what funding model will be available in September for term-time providers who will be reopening then. It is not that we are looking for providers being able to turn over a margin. It is about being sustainable. The cost of reopening cannot be on the individual providers. They are not providing this service without needing to take an income and have a wage themselves, as anybody else would when they work. I hope this answers the Deputy's question.