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

I am sharing time. With the permission of the Minister, I will engage in rapid fire questions and answers.

There are three major issues in the childcare sector which I wish to raise, the first issue being childcare for health care workers. I listened to the Minister's statement. What amazes me is that her first mention of the Department's provision for emergency childcare for essential health care staff is, "document first appeared in NPHET's minutes on 16 March." That is nine weeks ago. The Minister today mentioned that she engaged last Monday with Professor Martin Cormican. I am at a loss. Less than two weeks ago the Minister, on the floor of this House, announced a fantastic scheme at a cost of €4.3 million per week and she outlined all of the plans. I am wondering why the Minister did not have the buy-in of the sector. Why did only six providers sign-up? Where did it all fall apart and who was advising the Minister on it?

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