Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I extend my party's sympathies to the family and friends of the legendary Dublin footballer, Anton O'Toole.He was also known as the "Blue Panther" and he passed away aged 68. I send my sympathies and those of the Fianna Fáil group to his family and friends. He won four all-Ireland senior football medals and transformed Gaelic football for the capital. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

In the context of the comments of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, on co-living accommodation, it is extraordinary that he thinks co-living in small spaces should be celebrated by young people. We only have to look on daft.ieto see the tiny squats, apartments or bedsits that are now available at astronomical prices. I do not know what planet the Minister lives on to think this should be celebrated. It is a retrograde step and will give rise to the creation of the slums of the future. The Minister has announced many policies. If he implemented even one, I would say it would be fantastic. The cost-rental model in Inchicore seems to have been abandoned or delayed so I would welcome any comments on where that stands. We have not seen a master plan but if he stuck to one project at a time and finished it, he could be commended. He has announced these co-living squats and it is not right. This is an insult to people.

I will also mention the early childcare scheme. I stated last week that there is a crisis because there are no places for babies and baby rooms in crèches have been abandoned because of the success of the early childcare scheme. At the weekend, we saw how this has become a national crisis. We also learned of a €50 million deficit relating to the early childcare scheme. I ask the Leader to schedule a debate on the subject as many young mothers simply cannot return to work because there are no spaces in crèches for their babies.