Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Taoiseach specifically in relation to the Cabinet committee dealing with health and the Cabinet subcommittee dealing with children. In relation to health, it is difficult to understand, in the context of both Sláintecare which the Government has agreed to and the previous plans, what is happening. For example, the 100-bed unit for older people which was promised to be built in Connolly Hospital has hardly progressed at all. Given that it is in the Taoiseach's constituency and mine, could he tell us what is happening to such projects? We know they are in the grand plan but by now they should be well progressed, and there is a significant demand for the services. Moreover, I visited Connolly Hospital this morning and there is considerable concern among the staff, the patients and their relatives that some of the units dealing with older people are either to be closed or amalgamated. This is entirely at odds with what was laid out in the plan that was put forward when I was in government and the Taoiseach was Minister for Health to have a 100-bed unit. Instead of having more provision, it looks like there will be a closure.

The second question I want to ask is about child care which is raised constantly with me by young families in areas such as Castleknock. In many suburbs, towns and cities, crèche providers are refusing to take part in the second year of the early childhood education and fees for those crèches are being raised. As the young families concerned are also struggling to pay mortgages, in terms of the grandiose long-term plans, the issue is what in the meantime the Government will do in relation to the difficulties being experienced by parents with small children who would use crèches and want to use the first and second year of the early childhood education. They are being left completely bereft of anyone whom they can go to. Has the Government sat down to discuss this major issue for parents with young children right across Ireland?

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