Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. We need to find a balance here. We have excellent childcare providers. Parents should not be penalised for matters over which they do not have control, nor should the providers. We need a balance. I understand that the need for accountability applies to all businesses, including childcare providers. However, leniency should be shown. What is happening now is frightening people. This is a big thing now. As the Minister knows, things that people cannot account for happen at certain times. There has to be a balance. I acknowledge the Minister has said there is leniency there, but people need to be made aware of that. When there is a good reason, it needs to be accepted. There are great parents, just as there are great childcare providers.