Mr. David Joyce:

On the issue of domestic violence leave, it is a really important development. As I said, we fought to get inclusion of that in the convention. I draw Senator O'Reilly's attention to recommendation 206 which accompanies the convention and goes into more detail in terms of providing advice to governments on the steps they might take on implementing the convention. As well as leave for victims of domestic violence, it references things like flexible work arrangements; protection for victims of domestic violence; temporary protection against dismissal for victims of domestic violence as appropriate; the inclusion of domestic violence in workplace risk assessments; a referral system to public mitigation measures for domestic violence where they exist; and awareness raising about the effects of domestic violence. There are areas there that could also inform how we address this issue.

Senator Pauline O'Reilly and the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, have done great work in getting this on the agenda. As Senator O'Reilly said, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, has been very busy with a whole range of issues in his Department which has a very long title that also indicates his broad agenda. He has to work on including the transposition of the work-life balance directive. He has taken action to ensure the gender pay gap reporting system that is now in place.

On childcare, Senator Pauline O'Reilly touched on an important point in her intervention that the pay deal and the introduction of core funding went hand in hand. Without the increased levels of core funding, the pay deal could not have happened. Without the increased levels of investment put on the table by the Government, providers just would not have been in a position to pay the increase. The vast majority of providers have opted in to the core funding and to pay that deal. The Senator is right that it is the first step. It is only a step and it is not the end of the road because employment regulation orders can be reviewed. I am sure SIPTU, our affiliate which was directly involved in this, will do that at the earliest opportunity as well.