Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Every Minister has to consider cost as one of the factors in any decision-making process. However, it is not the driving factor. It is worth noting that the amount of data available since the Ryan report was published - which as the Senator pointed out is a long time ago – is now much greater. We have data from the national childcare information system, the Central Statistics Office and many other sources in respect of a range of areas. While longitudinal surveys are fantastic in identifying long-term trends, there is data already available on day-to-day and yearly trends right now. It is important that whatever recommendation we get will give us the best up-to-date data that my Department, Tusla and other State agencies can use. That is why we are giving wide consideration to all sources of data in this working group. Again, I am looking forward to getting its recommendations. Of course, I will be happy to discuss them further with Members of this House once I get them.