Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I direct my next comment to Ms Dunne and the Federation of Early Childhood Providers. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, about what I think is the biggest issue. People who know the childcare profession, like childcare providers, should be part of negotiations and part of a scheme that has their input as well. I know from speaking to Ms Dunne that did not happen. I will be calling on the Minister and the Department for childcare providers from whichever sector to have someone there to have an input into policy making and decisions. It is like everything else. The people working on the ground know the system better than anyone else. I have learned that over the years, and it is something I will be working on for Ms Dunne and the others.