Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Can I beg the Ceann Comhairle's indulgence for 20 seconds? I will be very quick.

On Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan's issue in respect of childcare, capital investment and the north side enterprise, the Minister is bringing forward that capital funding, as the Deputy said. I take the point he makes around the time sensitivity in north Cork. I will come back to him directly on that.

Similarly, in the context of Deputy Wynne's query on Shannon, I can point to progress that is being made on capacity nationwide, but I know that capacity may not be equally distributed. I do hope the new capital investment funds will assist. The child-minding regulations, I should say, are only in draft. The final version will look substantially different and there will be engagement.

I will get Deputy Tully a note on the impact the €11 million will make this year in terms of waiting lists. The Government will honour the pay agreements. I will follow up directly with the HSE as to when that will be implemented for people. On workforce vacancies, as I said to Deputy Boyd Barrett, I do think we made good progress on recruitment this year.

See this speech in context