I commend the motion and thank People Before Profit and Solidarity for bringing it forward. It is a comprehensive motion and this is a matter that has been discussed time and again here by different groups bringing it forward, yet nothing seems to change and nothing seems to improve. The Government seems to have this approach of reacting to a crisis instead of proactive planning to address the issues. There has been quite a lot of discussion on securing appropriate school placements here. It beggars belief why this…

I commend Deputy Kerrane on bringing forward this motion and on the work she has done on the policy and commend her predecessor, the former Deputy Kathleen Funchion, on all the work she did in this area as well. Childcare needs to be affordable, accessible and reliable but it is not any of those things at the moment. An average cost of €800 per month is not affordable. Many parents pay a great deal more than €800. That is not sustainable and many are forced to reduce their work or leave work, particularly women. It…

Thank you, Minister. Time is up.

Thank you, Minister.

Thank you, Minister.

I thank the Minister.

I thank the Minister.

I propose to take Question No. 80 next and then go back to Question No. 70.

I commend the Social Democrats on this motion. We debated a similar one by the Labour Party last week, and we also had statements last week on this issue. We have probably had statements and motions on this issue in every year of this Government's term. Everybody makes relevant points but things are not happening quick enough and change is not coming. The number of reports of domestic violence, assault and rape we hear about constantly on the news is scary. How often do we hear a news story about a woman's body fou…

I raise the issue of the striking workers in the national advocacy service. I know a number of colleagues raised it yesterday but I am not sure the reply the Taoiseach gave reflects the true situation. The WRC recommendations said that SIPTU, which is acting on behalf of the NAS, had a well-made case and that a business case should be submitted to the Citizens Information Board and the Department of Social Protection. These recommendations have not been honoured by either. Last week, the independent chairperson, Ke…

I pay tribute to the O'Farrell family for their determination in their quest for truth and justice for Shane. They deserve the truth. They deserve to know how and why Zigimantas Gridziuska was out on bail at the time he killed Shane on 2 August 2011. He had 34 previous convictions across three jurisdictions. He had been on continuous bail since August 2008, even though there were multiple breaches of that bail. Shane's family have established there is a file on Mr. Gridziuska in the Garda National Crime and Securit…

Has the Minister had any discussions with the Minister, Ministers of State or senior management at the Department of Health or the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with regard to addressing the existing pay disparity that exists between workers in section 39 organisations and workers employed directly by the HSE or section 38 organisations? If so, what plans are being put in place to address the issue and has the Minister a timeframe for doing so?

Last October, unions representing section 39 organisations and other sections reached an agreement for addressing pay disparity between section 39 organisations, the HSE and section 38 organisations. A proposal was agreed acknowledging that the workers in these organisations deserve pay equality. That pay agreement has not been honoured. Some of the workers have only received up to 65% of the pay deal. A subsequent public sector pay deal has been implemented, meaning that public sector workers have received another…

I have raised the issue of the provision of insulin pump therapy for paediatric diabetic patients in Cavan and Monaghan a number of times. I was told that it would commence in the fourth quarter of 2023. I am now being told by the RCSI Hospital Group that a new pathway has been introduced for children in Cavan and Monaghan but it has been introduced at the Drogheda hospital. This will not actually help these children because parents now have to bring the children over to Drogheda to get insulin pump therapy. I may …

I first pay tribute to Natasha O'Brien and Bláthnaid Raleigh for speaking out about the violent crimes perpetrated against them, and in Natasha's case for the injustice she endured in our court system. I was disbelieving when I heard that court decision first of all. I was so angry afterwards, as were so many women throughout this country. Unfortunately, Natasha is not the only one who does not get justice in our court system. We need to see improvements. I acknowledge there have been some improvements on gender-ba…

Will the Tánaiste provide an update on the progress made to date in ensuring the provisions of the working time directive are applied, where appropriate, to members of the Defence Forces?

The Commission on the Defence Forces published its report in February 2022. One of the recommendations of the report was the expeditious removal of the blanket exclusion of the Defence Forces from the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, subject to the application of the derogations permitted by the working time directive. This is key and probably the single most important thing that needs to be done to address the retention crisis and, in turn, deal with the recruitment crisis within the Defence Forces. The deta…

The commission believes that the implementation of the directive will improve retention, well-being and productivity in the Defence Forces. The Tánaiste is saying it has progressed in the seven weeks. Is September still the date we will see the legislation progressing?

The last parliamentary reply to me stated that you were still in negotiation and at that stage working out the details of the final management position was still under way.

That is completed and it is now progressing. We can expect this to be progressed by September.