Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the short-term measures, when we announced to the sector representatives last week that we were making available third and fourth-year graduates and postgraduates who are in the institutes of higher and further education at the moment, to allow them to take up places across the sector, it was warmly welcomed. The initiative has been able to provide some kind of extra buffer at the moment in terms of many services experiencing staff being out due to Covid. We have acted in the short-term to support the sector, particularly as we, hopefully, crest the current Delta wave.

The Deputy is absolutely correct in terms of the wider issues. I have acted since I have come into this office. We have established the Joint Labour Committee, JLC, which is a really important measure. I think just as importantly, we have come in with financial support. That core funding announcement in this year's budget is going to be hugely important. There is a significant allocation of money to support the employment regulation order. I really hope that the two sides can come together and agree that employment regulation order swiftly.

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