Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As I said at the beginning, I attempted to answer the question as Senator Murnane O'Connor put it to me. It did not specify the service outlined by the Senator in her commentary to me now. Having said that, I appreciate the arguments she has made.

I will say a couple of things. International reports have stated that the national childcare scheme will significantly address affordability for low-income families. For example, OECD research has found that Ireland will change from being the most expensive country in the OECD for childcare for lone parents to 11th position by that measure. However, I hear the issues Senator Murnane O'Connor is raising in the Seanad and I share her concerns in this regard. That is why last year I commissioned an independent sustainability review. The review is analysing several services in highly disadvantaged communities to explore any potential financial sustainability issues, as highlighted by Senator Murnane O'Connor, and the potential impact of the work-study rules within the national childcare scheme. That analysis will be completed shortly. It will inform any refinements required for the national childcare scheme. While overseeing the completion of that independent sustainability review, my officials will be happy to meet Senator Murnane O'Connor and those who were involved in the pilot impact study identified this morning by the Senator to learn more about their work and findings as a way of taking on board what the Senator has raised before we make decisions in that regard.