Defence Forces abuse review and early years crisis
Deputies Ryan and O'Dea raise the lack of survivor engagement in the Defence Forces review and the crisis in early childhood education staffing. The issues are noted as urgent, with concerns about the review process and the sector's imminent collapse.
We are running out of time. I will take the questions from all the other Deputies if they confine them to 30 seconds each. Are they amenable to that?
Comment on this
Yes. I was not sure whether I could contribute on an issue already raised. Deputy Tóibín has spoken already about the Defence Forces. I wonder why the Government is establishing an independent review into the abuse allegations - the terms of reference and nominations are being finalised this week - when there has been no engagement with those involved in the "Women of Honour" documentary or any other survivors of sexual abuse in the Defence Forces workplace.
Comment on this
I want to raise the question of the early childhood education sector, which is in deep crisis and haemorrhaging staff. There are commitments in the programme for Government regarding an employment regulation order and a new type of model. I want to ascertain when these will materialise because the crisis is now. The whole sector is in imminent danger of collapse.