Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would also disagree with Deputy Paul Murphy who spoke before me. I believe that both the Minister and the Minister of State have done their level best to address many of the concerns in the childcare sector.

I am a parent of two children under two. I will appreciate much more the work that childcare workers do and, I suppose, the impact that it has on our pockets. As Deputies Lahart and Jim O'Callaghan mentioned earlier, it is becoming like a second mortgage. I suppose I am beginning to experience that for myself.

The steps Government has taken need to be acknowledged. Some 80% of payroll costs and 50% of operational costs for the vast majority of these facilities have been covered because of the supports that both the Minister and the Minister of State have introduced.

I have three distinct queries or questions, and I was wondering if the Minister could comment. The first relates to reimbursements. I have come across some cases in childcare facilities where I wonder whether it is a question of must there be a reimbursement or should there be a reimbursement. The importance around that language is that I am coming across some facilities where that reimbursement is not forthcoming or there seems to be some kind of confusion around it. It is merely to clarify whether it must or should be reimbursed.

The second question is in regard to pregnant crèche workers. According to the guidelines, "Pregnant teachers and SNAs are to work from home as part of these temporary arrangements while advice for pregnant education sector staff is developed by occupational and public health doctors." Could the Minister explain why that distinction is there? What is the difference between a teacher and an SNA being allowed, if they are pregnant, to work from home as opposed to somebody working in the childcare sector? It is important that that distinction be explained.

My final question is regarding the JLC. I welcome the Minister's comments today that it is progressing. The Minister cannot reveal too much, but if he has anything else that he can elaborate on in terms of how that process will unfold, I would appreciate it.

See this speech in context