Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses. I have been speaking in recent days to numerous childcare professionals, not just the representatives of organisations but, in particular, the people who from this Monday onwards will be on the front line, to ask them what questions they would like asked. The predominant issue that has been raised with me is one that was touched on earlier, namely, the standards that will apply to those in the childcare sector from next Monday and the apparent disconnect with other sectors. Other matters raised with me include the provision of PPE, the physical distancing that will be in place and the length of time people will be in the same room. What has the Department done and what will it do in order to safeguard those who work in the sector? What protections and guidance are being provided? What mechanisms are in place to respond to instances where a cluster of Covid-19 appears in a childcare facility?