Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister who has come to the House on a number of occasions. It is a pity that we are here to discuss this issue following the "Prime Time" programme. I speak as someone who has a daughter in child care. There is no question but that the Minister's speech was heartfelt and it was full of references to proposed actions. However, I remind her that on 16 July 2011 she produced the document, Children First, and the Government gave a commitment that in its first year of office it would implement the Children First and Family Support Agency Bills. I do not for one moment question the Minister's bona fides, but her speech would be acceptable if it was made when she was assuming office, outlining what she would do during the term of the Government. She has made some very valid criticisms about previous levels of investment, but she should not use them as an excuse to say direct payments are a problem in terms of the lack of investigations and inspections. When will she implement the Children First and Family Support Agency Bills?

Some 50,000 children are being looked after in the professional childminding sector, to which the Tánaiste alluded yesterday. That is an area which needs to be looked at. In October 2012 the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill was before the Dáil. As a party, we tabled three specific amendments to include those involved in professional childminding services. Seven months ago the Government rejected these amendments. Why did it reject them?

In the two and a half years since she became Minister for Children and Youth Affairs - I very much welcomed her appointment at the time - what additional funds has the Minister allocated to carry out inspections? She has mentioned that she wants to reach a situation where there will be regular inspections. However, only 60% of crèches and preschool facilities are inspected, which is unacceptable. What additional resources has the Minister put in place? There are areas of the country in which there has not been an inspection for four years and the Minister has been in office for more than two of them.

The Minister's speech was full of proposals to take action, which I welcome. While I do not question her personal commitment, I question the Government's commitment and that of previous Governments. The Minister has outlined measures which need to be implemented immediately and on which work is being done, but this comes as a reaction to an exposé. Did she see the "Prime Time" programme before it was aired? Has she met the HSE executive subsequent to the programme being aired? Will she give me a timeline for implementation of the some of the very valid measures she wants to take? I wish her well in her endeavours, as I always have. I do not question her personal commitment, but we need to know what will happen.