Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the Deputy's perspective and experience, which are important. On mental health support for children, I acknowledge that significant improvements are under way, although it is a long journey. For the first time, we are introducing pilot supports in our primary schools. Counselling supports will be made available there. We have begun that journey and I hope to see it rolled out to all primary schools. We have never done that before in education. It is something that needs to be done more and more. That pilot has begun and I am confident that my colleague the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will want to roll it out further. There is also a recognition at post-primary level. I acknowledge the great work staff within those school environments do. For the first time, we have rolled out additional supports provided by outside providers such as Jigsaw. These are providing additional supports directly into schools. I am open to seeing if there is capacity to do more in that space because I appreciate the points the Deputy has raised.

With regard to childcare, Deputy Ward has raised mica issues for childcare providers and facilities in Donegal. The city and county childcare committees are engaging directly with childcare providers that have been impacted by mica with the intention of supporting them whether with relocation in the short term or with any other needs. We are very happy to do that. I keep an open view as to what we can potentially do in that area. It is my own personal aim and objective, which is shared across government and by the Department, to increase the availability of childcare places. We need to protect the ones that are there. We are looking at everything possible. This includes the public model where there is not provision in an area and it also includes supporting existing providers. That includes those impacted by mica. I will be fully briefed on how those engagements with the childcare committees are going and we will take it from there.