Perhaps that might be something the Minister may examine because it would be a very small number of parents. With regard to parent's leave and benefit, the child should get the same level of time with their parent, whether it is one parent or two. That is an anomaly that would be worth looking at. It would be a small number of people but it is important.

It is quite incredible to believe that, after this budget, we again add to the growing list of wasting when it comes to taxpayers' money. It is quite incredible to believe the Government has suggested, is putting forward and has budgeted €9 million for mobile phone pouches for national schools. Many schools, particularly in rural areas across Roscommon and Galway, are struggling to fund road safety measures and safety outside their school gates, especially in relation to parking. Parents are again contacting me abo…

I thank the Minister. He will get more time to respond later.

I thank the Minister.

We must move on.

I will take a supplementary question from Deputy Durkan.

I am glad to have the opportunity to debate the falling Garda numbers in my constituency, in counties Roscommon and Galway. It is an issue I have consistently raised and highlighted many times. I recognise the work of An Garda Síochána and its members across the State, as I know every Member of this House would do. In recent months in particular, we have got to know our community gardaí better because, unfortunately, there has been a spate of burglaries across Roscommon and Galway. Earlier this year, when this happ…

I thank the Minister of State for her response. I will say again that community gardaí and overall gardaí numbers in Roscommon are totally unacceptable, particularly in what is now the Castlerea district, which has two Garda cars every night covering a vast rural area of 67 km from one end to the other. I would like to see that area reviewed. The Garda Commissioner needs to look at specific measures for rural areas, town and villages, particularly areas where Garda stations have been closed. The reality is we are n…

It is Question No. 4.

There is a supplementary question from Deputy Ó Murchú.

Yes, but you do not need to take it all-----

We are running out of time now and there are two supplementary questions left, so I ask Members to please be brief.

The Deputy is over time.

I have a supplementary from Deputy Feighan. He must be brief.

We are out of time. Does the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, wish to make any concluding remarks?

Just 1,300 payments have been made or are in the process of being made under the mother and baby homes redress scheme. That is out of 34,000 people who are eligible, not to mention the 24,000 who have been left out of the scheme. Today, I was made aware of a 91-year-old woman who is still waiting. She applied in March. The scheme has been open for six months. Older people were supposed to be prioritised. Another person contacted me earlier this week whose loved one passed away since applying. I ask that the Governm…

I move: That Dáil Éireann: recognises: — the importance of affordable, accessible and reliable childcare or childminding arrangements for working families, society and the wider economy; — the crucial role that childcare professionals play in shaping the future of our children; and — that childcare is an essential service and it is time it was given the investment and priority that it needs; notes that: — after 14 years of a Fine Gael Government childcare costs remain too high, with some parents paying the equivale…

I was disappointed to see a good chunk of the Minister's amendment criticising the plan I launched last week. He does not have to like the plan, of course. I am not interested in that kind of politicking. I do not do it. I do not believe that the parents are interested in it either. The Minister sees our plan as having no vision. Our plan has a vision and is the actual way to get to €10 per day. If we strip everything out of it, the fact is that we are spending €1.2 billion of taxpayers' money, and those taxpayers …

I welcome the legislation and commend the Minister for making it happen. I know this was a commitment that was made, not least in the programme for Government. It is good to see the legislation before the House this afternoon. The Minister mentioned the pre-legislative scrutiny undertaken by the committee on agriculture and the report that was published subsequently. I am very glad that the committee's six recommendations were considered and some have made their way into the Bill as outlined today. That is very wel…

I begin by thanking the Taoiseach and everyone else who played a part in the very swift action to ensure that Tori Towey is brought home. Tori grew up in my hometown of Ballaghaderreen and the town, the county and, indeed, the entire country have been right behind her. I know she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received. I look forward to seeing her come home. I will raise with the Taoiseach the ongoing crisis in home care. More than 600 people in County Galway are waiting for either a new home care pac…