Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If it is early in the process, that gives us the opportunity to keep asking - asking early and asking often. That is good to know. I welcome that.

I also want to reference childminders coming into the scheme. That will be welcome in general. A huge number of people rely on childminders. Not everyone, including those of us in this Chamber, has a nine to five, Monday to Friday type role. We rely heavily on childminders. That will be significant for people in a disadvantaged situation because they often rely on childminders with whom they may have developed a relationship and a bond of trust. The scheme may not be of benefit because they fall outside it at the moment. I came across a single parent recently who was struggling to find a place. The person qualified for all the schemes and could get a childminder but could not afford that service. That is a good example of where it can be of benefit.

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