Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On children in IPAS accommodation, there is a unit in the service that is dedicated to child welfare. On special emergency arrangements, I note that staff working there are vetted and qualified. A compliance unit has been set up in respect of those special emergency arrangements. The children are visited every week. I appreciate the Deputy's bona fides. We absolutely do have a duty of care. We have made significant strides but there is more work to be done.

I have heard the Deputy speak very eloquently before about the time-bound committee and "páistecare". I am very taken with his choice of words. I like it very much and might borrow it somewhere along the line. I like it because it is child-centred. We have committed to very broad consultation on the action plan. We have three objectives. One is to reduce the cost for parents. We are beginning that journey with the cap this week and the commitment to a monthly cost for parents of €200. We are improving accessibility. Just two weeks ago, I announced a €25 million investment to extend provision through existing providers. There is also the core funding element, which supports providers. Equally as important as cost and accessibility - it is almost like a trinity - is ensuring that those who work in the sector are paid appropriately. Significant work has been done in that regard and I can elaborate on that later.