I understand that a memorandum was brought to Cabinet this morning regarding major reforms in the funding of childcare. There will be significant moves towards improving the pay and conditions of staff, building on the universal core funding that has been in existence for some years now, targeted funding for disadvantaged areas and significantly expanding the State's involvement in this sector. Does the Taoiseach agree that the proposal approved by Cabinet this morning should pave the way for the ending of price hikes within the childcare sector, particularly when it comes to parents who are trying to hold down careers?

To be fair, two significant memorandums were decided on this morning in respect of childcare. These were brought to Cabinet by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and they relate to workforce development and funding models for childcare into the future. Substantial funding was provided in the last budget for the development of workforce pay and conditions. That now has to go to a joint labour committee, which will arrive at an agreed figure in respect of childcare workers. The policy platforms that have gone through Cabinet today are essential building blocks to develop a high-quality childcare system that puts the child at the centre, because it is about the child at the end of the day. Parallel to that, we have to design a system and a framework that makes it affordable for parents.

I also wish to raise the issue of the hospitality sector. There is huge recognition in the sector of the significant support this Government has given it throughout this unprecedented crisis. Some employers were in contact with me this morning who are worried about how the new PUP will affect employees if they have to restrict their hours. A number of requests have been made to me by hoteliers and people in the hospitality sector. They are asking for the restoration of the EWSS employment supports for hospitality businesses to November levels. On the EWSS qualification criteria, they ask that hospitality businesses which may become ineligible in December be given the opportunity to requalify for EWSS supports in January. The other point relates to Covid restrictions support scheme business supports and automatic qualification for those supports if hospitality businesses qualify for the EWSS.

I thank the Deputy for the detailed points he made in the context of supports for those in the hospitality sector. The Minister for Finance is still refining and going through those particular issues. We want to make sure that, whatever we do as a Government, we adequately support and provide supports to the hospitality sector, given the decisions that have been taken.

Nightclubs are closing as a result of the measures brought in on foot of public health advice - the closing time is back to midnight - and there has been a fall-off in corporate bookings for restaurants and so forth. It is a different type of phase that we are in now. Therefore, it needs a different type of response. We are working on that to make sure that the gap is basically narrowed and that businesses can continue on with good viability and retain staff.