Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late. The Minister has reiterated what she has told us on previous occasions about the eight key areas she sees in this area. The registration process was to be introduced in September this year. I hope the Minister can confirm that this will still be the case.

In July, the Minister approved the heads of a Bill to increase the penalty for non-compliance. When will that Bill come before the House for us to debate it and support the Minister in her efforts? This is warranted, but I hope it will be forthcoming soon.

On the 914 inspection reports, only five or six counties have managed to put their inspection reports online. Has the Minister sought and received permission from Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, to hire additional social inspectors? At a committee meeting before the summer, we heard there were only 37 full-time social welfare inspectors inspecting 4,700 crèches. Has the Minister sought permission to increase the number of inspectors? The Minister said the Children First legislation was one of her key priorities on assuming office. Can she assure the House that this legislation will be debated in the Houses of the Oireachtas before Christmas and that childminders will be included in this legislation?

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