Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The scale of the challenge ahead of us cannot be underestimated. We as legislators must be honest and acknowledge that it will not be easy. We will get through this if we take a whole-of-society approach. If we do not play our part, the virus will win and lives will be lost. Each person, each family in the country is making huge sacrifices. The normality we once knew may not be seen for several months. Today's live register figures are startling. Over 500,000 people are now unemployed or on some form of Covid-19 payment. This has numerous knock-on effects on people's lives and it is undoubtedly leaving many very worried about their finances. I welcome the extension to the fuel allowance, which is of great benefit to people right across the country who have found themselves cocooned. I know this was a great concern for many older constituents and it is a relief for them and one less thing to worry about. I welcome the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment and the speed at which it is being administered. The credit is due to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, her Department and her wider staff. They have worked phenomenally. If I was to make a suggestion, it would be that perhaps they could take some prime time slots to explain to the various sectors as to how the payment will be done and whether it can be backdated. It is only a one-page document. Ingrid Miley's presentation on the "Six One" news the other night was very well put but not everybody will have heard it. If we could run different slots for different sectors, it might help the Department and cut down the number of telephone calls.

I have been in regular contact with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to ensure childcare professionals, providers and parents have their services to return to once this over. I acknowledge the role of the Minister in supporting us in getting what was a very onerous task sorted this day last week. We got it sorted in such a way that if the providers sign up now, no parent will have to pay a fee. The staff will maintain their full salary and even part-time staff will be in receipt in the minimum of €350, as will managers. I echo the call of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, for childcare options for front-line workers to be secured. Common sense can be used here. We have thousands of childcare workers around the country who would be happy to help. Providers will know the parents who will need assistance so they assign their workers who want to help. It is important, too, that the HSE considers childcare arrangements and offers flexibility with shifts when drawing up rotas.

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