Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The situation with childcare is a growing concern for parents, so much so that many are very upset trying to figure out what the plan is and where they are going to go with this. They are already struggling to balance changing shifts, using up holidays, reducing their hours and many different ways to try and cope with this situation. It is not exclusively an issue for front-line workers. As more people return to places of work, this is a greater concern for more families.

Tá brú ollmhór ar dhaoine maidir leis an tslí ina bhfuil cúram leanaí á láimhseáil, nó nach bhfuil sé á láimhseáil. Mar sin, táimid ag lorg go gcuirtear feabhas air agus go gcuirtear plean cinnte le chéile. Caithfear foghlaim ón tslí inar theip ar an bplean deireanach agus fiafraí cad go díreach a chaithfear a dhéanamh chun cinntiú go mbeidh córas ann. What has been learned from the way the last scheme crashed that can be implemented in the new plan B, C or even D? What confidence can parents have that a plan C or D will come to fruition, having seen the other plan crash?

Turning to the stakeholders, what level of engagement is the Minister having with them and who are they? The Minister also referred to pods.

Will the pods be family-based or will other individuals be brought together in such a situation? Is that plan realistic, given that it was originally set out that childcare would reopen to the wider public within six weeks? The plan was that childcare would be made available for front-line workers in phases 1 and 2. Will the Government be able to achieve its goals or is the Minister considering reviewing the proposals and putting a new timetable in place? I ask the Minister to set out the road map in that regard.

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