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

I will make a couple of comments in the two minutes allocated. I refer to Deputy Niamh Smyth's initial question on what has happened with the Government and the difficulties therein etc. I have referred many times to the growth of the sector and the 141% investment increase.

I support the voices and representatives of the sector and the 30,000 who marched. I said that at the time. I suggested that we establish a sectoral employment order to ensure we get the sector organised in order to get better wages. I agree we need a single comprehensive streamlined inspection system and I began that conversation with Tusla and others before the election. I agree largely with all the things Deputy Smyth said. We already started and that must continue in the new Government.

I am very much in favour of the provision of childcare for healthcare workers. I spoke about that before the NPHET ultimately said it was time and we could do it. We followed the advice from the NPHET in terms of when to begin, just as the Government is following the NPHET advice on most of the significant decisions. We prepared and we are ready. Hopefully, we will begin the implementation on 18 May. I agree that it was needed before then but we waited for the NPHET to say when we could begin it, as we did with regard to many matters that are significant. It was the expert advice.

In response to Deputy O'Callaghan, I could not agree more with regard to the importance of children and young people and them requiring supports. My Department in the last month or so initiated and launched a number of supports, particularly regarding play for young children but especially the youth. There are many things in which the young people have taken their agency and resilience in their hands and there are a number of ways in which my Department has supported that.

I believe I have to stop now.

See this speech in context