Nessa Cosgrove (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am not going to be long at all. It must be so frustrating for the witnesses coming in here. This is my first time sitting on this committee, and things do not change. In fact, it seems from the budget that things are getting worse. If the right to flexible work or the right to work from home was in legislation, would that have a huge impact?

My second question continues on what Senator Keogan said about the evidential impact that having a second tier of child benefit would have. In regard to the family visitor programme within Lifestart, is that an area that would work with the Equal Start programme? I know they are different programmes but they are in the house. Wages and the retention and recruitment of staff are a huge issue as well because of the low wages. I would appreciate comments on that. The second tier of child benefit is a missed opportunity.