Mr. Bernard Joyce:

I do not mind covering accommodation. Others might come in after that. As we see it, for many families and children accommodation was a humanitarian crisis prior to Covid-19. Covid-19 showed up that many children and families on this island are living without basic water, sanitation and electricity. The HSE issued guidelines on what was required in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19, for example, having warm water, which is a basic need, shower and sanitation facilities and electricity. Many families living in overcrowded substandard accommodation do not have these facilities. I can only imagine the situation for children.

The report of the Ombudsman for Children was damning and reflected the perspective of children. I want to quote from one child, who said that they felt like garbage. We are in 2021. Children having to go to school without showers, water or the basic humanitarian needs that we would expect every single child on this island to have is damning and is an indictment and a shame on the society that we live in. Absolutely no one, in any political party, Government or Department can stand over that. It is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Obviously, we welcome the expert report on implementation and the work done by the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, who is overseeing the recommendations. The only way out of this is for the recommendations to be fully implemented in a timely manner so as to eradicate the inhumane living conditions many Traveller children and families are living in across the country.