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

Sometimes one would think nothing was done in the child care setting prior to the Minister's appointment. I accept that certain areas needed to be strengthened. Fianna Fáil proposed legislation in this regard during the last Dáil session. I welcome that legislation is being drafted but the issues involved are mainly technical in nature and they should be addressed in weeks rather than months. The Bill needs to be prioritised. We would support the Minister by sitting on a Friday to ensure the Bill is debated and passed through the House.

The Minister did not answer my question on additional resources for inspectors. She acknowledged that the inspectors are under resourced in terms of personnel, support and training. Has she obtained the much needed additional resources to ensure her plans proceed? Can she confirm that child minders will be included in the Children First legislation? She was wary about this previously. Perhaps she now sees the benefit of including them after speaking to her colleagues and the experts from Australia.

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