In last October's budget, the affordable child care scheme was announced to much fanfare. Regrettably, however, the relevant legislation has still not been introduced. Is it in the Taoiseach's power to fast-track that legislation? There are 23,000 employees in 4,500 crèches across the country who are waiting for this legislation to be brought forward. They were promised it and they are awaiting the money. Perhaps the Taoiseach could help.

The intention was that the scheme would be operational and effective from September of this year. The heads of the Bill and the general scheme were approved by the Government on 20 January 2017. The joint Oireachtas committee met on 8 February for pre-legislative scrutiny and its report was received on 23 February. On 22 February, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs received formal notification from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel that a draftsperson was assigned specifically to work on the affordable childcare scheme Bill. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs started work together on the drafting of the Bill in March and this work is ongoing. No date is yet confirmed for when the drafting of the Bill will be complete. Nonetheless, the Government is conscious of the position and wants to make arrangements so that payments under the scheme will become effective in September. This is quite a complicated Bill and the timeline is tight, but it is hoped it can be met.