Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Tánaiste noted, the images shown on the "Prime Time" exposé were unacceptable and people across the board have expressed deep shock. The reality, however, is that we have been here before. This is not the first occasion on which maltreatment in crèche facilities has come to light. Six or seven years ago serious issues were identified and since 2008 problems with under staffing, inadequate supervision and failures in vetting have been identified. As these facts emerged, Governments were appalled, horrified and shocked. They promised speedy reform, the publication of inspection reports, beefed up inspection regimes and a renewed focus on quality, but nothing was done and the responses were far from robust. Children have been let down not only by the operators of these crèches but also by the Government.

What we saw on Tuesday night is a direct consequence of the relegation of carers and caring to the second division. I regret to say that in many of the decisions taken by the current Government, the trend of undervaluing and, in some cases, undermining carers and their work has continued.

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