Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I am sorry I could not make it to meet the Minister because I was meeting constituents, but I had not been notified of his visit, and whenever I am notified of a visit from any Minister, I make it my business to attend. Whenever a Minister comes to the area, I show him or her ample respect. I was not notified in advance, however, and I have my own schedule for meeting the people of Limerick, which I have to try to keep to. Having said that, out of respect, I would have turned up if I had known.

Early years childcare needs to be supported, which means the people in this country need to get funding. I believe that the Minister is considering a model for a national childcare service. I would love to know where he is going to get the people to do it. I hope it will not be the same builder who built the bike shed who is make the reforms to allow that to be done. Imagine if we had €336,000 to spend on early years childcare in an area.

It might be a drop in the ocean but it might actually help somebody to get childcare in their area and support other jobs within childcare. Anyone who is in childcare or youth organisations that are looking after children throughout the year, allowing other people to go to work, should also be funded through the times parents are off work and the children are not being minded. That is something we should look into.

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