Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I offer condolences to the wife and family of former Deputy, Alexis Fitzgerald, on behalf of the Labour Party group. I also offer condolences to Deputy Joe O'Reilly. I and many other Members served with him in the previous Seanad, from 2007 to 2011, and he is a great friend and colleague. I am very sorry to hear of the death of his mother.

I join Senator Mooney in offering a huge commendation from across the Seanad to the crew of the LE Eithneon the immense humanitarian work they have done. A number of us have spoken about it in this House, but it is hugely positive to see the amazing work they have done and to read some of the detailed accounts of the rescues in which they were engaged and of the many thousands of migrants they rescued.

In that context, I ask the Leader to schedule a debate, early in the new session, with the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, on the implementation of the report on direct provision that was published recently. I note that the Minister of State has been appointed to head an implementation body to assess how the recommendations of that report can be put in place. Clearly, when we discuss migrants the issue is not just migrants being rescued in the Mediterranean but also migrants living in Ireland. Many Members of the Seanad have worked on this issue over a long period. The recommendations of the working group on direct provision are welcome, but Members should keep a watching brief on this and hold regular debates on the issue.

I also support the call for a debate on homelessness early in the next session. After the justified outcry last Christmas the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, put in place significant increased investment in services for homeless persons, but we should have a debate on the issue again in the House.

I also seek a debate in the new session on child care, in light of the report published this week by Early Childhood Ireland. The report, "Footsteps for the Future", by Dr. Stephen Kinsella from the University of Limerick looks at the funding of early childhood or preschool education. In particular, there is an analysis of the provision of the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme year and of the provision of child care by service providers. However, we should have a broader debate on child care, looking at the matter not just in the context of early childhood education in the three to five year old cohort but also child care for infants and children up to three years of age. I am aware that a report is due on this. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, has commissioned a working group report on how best to ensure accessible, affordable and high quality child care for parents and children in Ireland. The report is due to be launched shortly, so it would be timely for the Seanad to have a debate on it when we have considered its findings. It would give us an opportunity to have an input on that.