I move amendment No. 79: In page 58, line 4, to delete “Co. Galway” and substitute “Galway”. These are a number of technical amendments but are related to the Schedule. The Schedule, as we know, lists certain institutions and the way in which they were formatted had caused a certain amount of confusion in respect of spacing and commas. For the point of clarity, we are bringing forward a set of amendments to ensure those institutions listed are properly described and individualised.

I move amendment No. 80: In page 58, to delete lines 5 to 9 and substitute the following: “Bessborough Mother and Baby Home, Cork Manor House, Castlepollard, Westmeath Sean Ross Abbey, Tipperary Árd Mhuire, Dunboyne, Meath”.

I move amendment No. 81: In page 58, line 14, to delete “Co. Donegal” and substitute “Donegal”.

I move amendment No. 82: In page 58, line 15, to delete “Co. Clare” and substitute “Clare”.

I move amendment No. 83: In page 58, line 21, to delete “Ennis” and substitute “Ennis, Clare”.

I move amendment No. 84: In page 58, to delete line 22 and substitute the following: “Cork County Home and District/ St Finbarr’s Hospital”.

I move amendment No. 85: In page 58, to delete line 27 and substitute the following: “Dublin Union/St Kevin’s Institution”.

The measures that Tusla takes in respect of children in residential care, whether its own or private residential care, are really important. Where we use private residential care, all procurement measures must be adhered to. My understanding is that this company has not been successful in the recent tendering process and that Tusla is engaging with it to ensure that a care plan is put in place for all children who will be leaving the care of the company. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter, which I will conti…

I welcome the opportunity to discuss the important issue of early learning and childcare. We will not be opposing this motion this evening. It would be difficult to overstate the importance of early learning and childcare to society and the economy, but most importantly, to children. The pandemic served to shine a light on the contribution made by childcare professionals, who kept the doors open and our children safe. I know Deputies from all sides of the House want to join me in paying tribute to that work. At the…

I have not heard that. It is not in the motion before us today. I know from Sinn Féin's budget proposals this year that a figure of €168 million was used. That is €53 million less than the Government is delivering.

I look forward to examining that proposal because it is not the motion before us today. It is really valuable to have that figure. Deputies from Sinn Féin have today highlighted both the problems of pay and fees. In its pre-budget submission, Sinn Féin kind of conflated those and suggested that one figure can contribute to addressing both of those problems. Those are two separate problems that require two separate sets of investment, however. We are bringing forward core funding to address the issue of pay for chil…

Like the Taoiseach, I am sure Deputies across the House will join me in condemning in the strongest possible terms the illegal actions of Russia. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 26 February, we have witnessed scenes of appalling brutality, including the shelling of civilian areas and women and children huddled in bomb shelters while cities and towns have been levelled. This is a violent and destructive war that serves absolutely no credible purpose but carries with it an unbearable toll on the people of Uk…

I cannot comment on the decision of the Cathaoirleach to rule amendments out of order. That is within the competence of this House. Since items are being placed on the record of the House, I am concerned about the notion that this Bill is being rushed through the House. I do not believe that is the case. It is transfer-of-functions legislation and there is a general view across both Houses to facilitate that happening because the Bill is focused on moving governance structures from one Department to another. Nevert…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)( a ) and 181(1).

I thank the Deputy. A transformative package of measures for the early learning and care, ELC, and SAC sectors was announced in budget 2022, including €221 million in core funding. Core funding will operate from September in order to support improved quality, affordability and sustainability. The significant majority of ELC and SAC services will see substantial increases in income through core funding. It is important to state that no service will lose out on core funding. All services will receive at least the sam…

Owing to the manner in which the higher capitation payment was made in respect of graduates when it was based on the number of children participating in the ECCE programme rather than the number of hours of graduate-led provision, approximately 1% of sessional services got a disproportionate uplift under the older system. When they put their numbers into the ready reckoner, they came out as being down slightly. I can give a clear guarantee. We have conveyed this to the services but this is a valuable opportunity to…

We are bringing forward €221 million per year in funding. This is a significant State investment, as everyone recognises. The bulk of that money is linked to the delivery of the ERO. We all know how poorly childcare professionals are paid. I see, Government sees and it is seen across the House the ERO as the means to deliver that. That money has to be contingent on the ERO. If we do not get the ERO, we cannot get the guarantee that the extra money the State is providing to services will go to childcare providers, g…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I am aware of various organisations making calls for safeguarding and child protection measures to be put in place for children fleeing Ukraine. Tusla has a significant role in the State's response to support individuals, particularly women and children, displaced from Ukraine as a result of the war and coming into Ireland. Tusla is committed to balancing the needs of families in a humanitarian crisis with its child protection responsibilities and requirement to…

A team is on-site 18 hours a day at Dublin Airport. Between 85% and 90% of all Ukrainians who have come to Ireland have entered through Dublin Airport. At this stage, we do not have on-site teams at Rosslare, which is the next largest entry point, or at Shannon and the other points of entry that account for small numbers. It is a question of where to best target resources. In the coming weeks and months as the summer season approaches, it is likely that more people may be entering and particularly through Rosslare.…

Tusla is acutely aware of its responsibility in this matter, particularly because this is a crisis having such a detrimental impact on children. Bernard Gloster was on "Morning Ireland" this morning. I did not catch his interview, but he has been in regular contact with me and my Department on these issues. As the Deputy said, we and Tusla have moved quickly to address the situation of the 22 children referred to. The Ukrainian authorities have also written to us on the broader issue of the use of adoption during a…