As the Tánaiste noted, the images shown on the "Prime Time" exposé were unacceptable and people across the board have expressed deep shock. The reality, however, is that we have been here before. This is not the first occasion on which maltreatment in crèche facilities has come to light. Six or seven years ago serious issues were identified and since 2008 problems with under staffing, inadequate supervision and failures in vetting have been identified. As these facts emerged, Governments were appalled, horrified and shocked. They promised speedy reform, the publication of inspection reports, beefed up inspection regimes and a renewed focus on quality, but nothing was done and the responses were far from robust. Children have been let down not only by the operators of these crèches but also by the Government.

What we saw on Tuesday night is a direct consequence of the relegation of carers and caring to the second division. I regret to say that in many of the decisions taken by the current Government, the trend of undervaluing and, in some cases, undermining carers and their work has continued.

Hear, hear.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach said that the brand image of child care was of the highest standard. I am not sure what he meant by "brand image" but he is part of the same Government that is advertising on its JobBridge website positions for child care workers in organisations, including an advertisement from Giraffe child care, one of the brands associated with this scandal, seeking interns with no experience to work with children for €50 per week. What is that about and how does the Tánaiste square it with his proclaimed commitment to quality and safety for children? State funding should not go to any facility that does not conform to the highest standards of inspection, regulation, qualification and quality care.

I note that he is being very careful on this issue. He stated that funding can and should be stopped. We need to hear that funding will be stopped. If he is not prepared to say that clearly, he has no prospect of restoring parents' confidence or protecting the good reputation of the many quality child care providers which operate across the country.

I ask him to square the circle for me. How is it that €50 per week for an untrained and unqualified person is appropriate? Why are these jobs advertised on JobBridge and why is he so coy on current and future funding? I ask him to state clearly that funding will be stopped where regulations are breached.

The last thing parents need if they are concerned this morning about leaving their child in a child care facility after what they saw on television on Tuesday night is for this issue to be turned into a political football in the House. We have a problem that needs to be resolved. It will be resolved and there is an obligation on everybody to work to do so. The Government established a dedicated Department of Children and Youth Affairs to deal with issues associated with children.

It also cut carer's allowance.

This is a very serious issue which must be dealt with and the issues raised in Tuesday's television programme will be dealt with.

Why did it take RTE to find out what was happening?

To answer Deputy McDonald's question directly, if we have the power to cut funding, it will be cut where standards are not being maintained.

The Government cut €10 from child benefit.

The Government will not tolerate circumstances in which taxpayers' money is being used to subsidise facilities where children are not being treated properly. Let me be absolutely clear about that.

On the issue of inspections, as I stated, work is being done on a national regime for inspections and an analysis is being conducted of the inspections carried out to date. The results of inspections will be published online in order that parents can see exactly what was found.

With regard to the Deputy's remark about JobBridge, of the three facilities referred to in the programme, two have never had JobBridge interns, while the third had an intern whose internship finished in April this year.

This is not a matter of a political football but one of accountability, good governance and setting the minds of parents at ease. Rather than listening to the same old story, parents must hear a genuine and urgent commitment to ensure quality of care for children.

My question on JobBridge was not framed in the past tense. I am asking the Tánaiste about positions that are being advertised on the JobBridge website today. As I stated, these positions pay €50 per week and are for people who do not have qualifications. Why are these posts being advertised on the JobBridge website? How on earth could it be appropriate to do so? It was never appropriate and it is even less appropriate given the outrage and shock the Tánaiste's expressed in response to the "Prime Time" programme.

Sinn Féin welcomed the decision to appoint a Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. However, the Minister has been in place for two and a half years, which is a long time in the lifespan of a child. How many children have completed preschool care in crèches in that period?

While I have no doubt the Tánaiste was horrified by Tuesday night's television programme, there is no point expressing horror about breaches of regulations or giving such a clear commitment to proper standards and the safety and protection of children in child care when JobBridge, a Government website, is advertising yellow pack posts which pay €50 per week for child care workers. Our children are worth and deserve more than that and their parents expect better than that.

On the JobBridge issue, no JobBridge positions will be approved for any of the facilities that were named in the "Prime Time" programme.

JobBridge positions should not be approved for any child care facility.

Let us be clear about the issue the Deputy raised; JobBridge posts will not be approved for any of the facilities that were named in the programme.

In that case, children in other child care facilities can have yellow pack care.

On the wider issue the Deputy raised, it is correct that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has been in place for two years but a hell of a lot of progress has been made in those two years. We are at the point where legislation is about to be introduced. As I indicated to Deputy Martin, the Children First guidelines will be placed on a statutory basis and a regime will be introduced whereby child care facilities will not only have to be notified to the Health Service Executive, as is currently the case, but will have to be registered with the child and family agency, which is in the process of being established. The reports of the inspections will be published and work to prepare for the publication of inspection reports has been under way for some time. This work did not wait for the television programme to be broadcast. Arrangements are also being made for inspections to be carried out nationwide.

There is an absolute determination on the part of the Government, in particular, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, to deal not only with the problems highlighted in the "Prime Time" programme, but also issues that have been highlighted in inspection reports. Nobody should be in any doubt about that.

On the issue of accountability, as I stated, the Joint Committee on Health and Children is due to hold hearings on 11 June, at which it will hear evidence from officials from the Health Service Executive, those involved in child care provision and the Minister. The issues arising from the legislation can also be discussed. We will have full accountability and transparency in this matter because parents and especially the children attending child care facilities deserve no less.