The government estimates that by September, an additional 70,000 extra places and 35,000 staff will be needed to cope with the influx of families wanting spaces and more hours.
"I just wasn't self-aware enough, I thought it was just a jokey remark."I didn't think of the consequences," Supt Davies added.
He was also questioned on an allegation he commented on a female colleague's hair in a meeting, causing her to feel "embarrassed".Supt Davies said this was "intended as a compliment" and "did not relate to her ability as an individual".Mr Gold asked Supt Davies: "If I was to say to you now that I found you attractive, you would find that disconcerting?", to which he responded: "Yes I would find it strange that you would remark on my physical appearance."
Supt Davies added he did not think of it as sexist behaviour but understood it "potentially could be seen like that".He also strongly denied saying he wanted to "put his face between a colleague's breasts" and "shake his head and face", and said the claimant who made the allegation was "honestly mistaken".
Questioned on allegations that some female colleagues felt excluded from work conversations, Supt Davies told the hearing: "That was not my perception about their involvement."
Supt Davies added he "doesn't accept" allegations that female colleagues "were left outside the circle of trust" and were made to feel like "typing pool girls"., he said dozens joined the search including Malin Head Coast Guard, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter and a former RNLI crew member, who was on the lough in his own personal boat.
"There was a local yacht race happening that day, and they stopped that and assisted with the search," he said."It was terribly traumatic to look at the families watching out over the lough and praying."
The third teenage boy was helped out of the water "with the assistance of a local man" and was able to "scramble" onto the coastal pathway, Mr Joyce added.Mr Joyce said support services have been put in place following the incident.