Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has asked two questions, the first of which is on the transfer of data in the application process.

I assure the Deputy as well as parents that over the past couple of years in preparing for this, we have gone back and forth in respect of all of those obligations and in terms of data protection, especially in respect of the general data protection regulation, GDPR, as well as in our work with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection. This has been complicated work and part of that is to ensure that we are doing it appropriately in respect of privacy provisions and at the same time ensuring the willingness and engagement of both systems to talk to each other in order that we can provide this kind of benefit. I assure the Deputy that all of those regulations have been adhered to in respect of the small community providers. I understand there are concerns because something new is being introduced. At the same time, we have fantastic supports through the community, county and city childcare committees and I hope they will be their first port of call in looking for that kind of support. If there are other questions, we are always available to answer.

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