Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for choosing this matter and I welcome the Minister of State. I acknowledge the range of supports and investment provided by the Government to the Department of children to assist parents in affording childcare, which has been greatly beneficial. I acknowledge also the work of the city and county childcare committees, whether through the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme or the national childcare scheme, to assist parents who are looking for places and families who are looking for support and assistance with childcare matters at a local level. My concerns relate to that cohort of parents who are under considerable stress because they cannot get a place in any local childcare facility or crèche because there are capacity issues. I am sure it is not unique to my part of the world but is nationwide. I have been contacted by parents in Rosscahill and Oughterard, for example, in my area of Galway who say the local crèches are full and that there are waiting lists. The parents of newborn babies have been told it will be three years before a place will open in a childcare facility. I am not in any way blaming the wonderful facilities that exist, which provide excellent places and supports locally, and I am sure they are under great pressure from parents seeking places, which is understandable.

What are the Government and the Department doing proactively to increase the availability of places? What supports have been put in place for somebody who has a building or is interested in leasing a building long term or medium term in a locality where there is a need for places? Supports are paramount. I understand that, similar to the forward planning section of the Department, there are measures within the Department to this effect. Our colleagues will debate Private Members' business later today in respect of school places. Just because there is a forward planning section in the Department of Education does not mean there is never a problem accessing school places. I am suspicious as to whether this initiative within the Department of children will solve the problem, even if it may assist in identifying where there are gaps. If an individual wishes to get involved in opening a crèche where there is an evident need and demand in a locality, what supports are in place to assist that person, company or business? Where a facility wishes to open a second site in a locality, what supports are in place? We know about the pressures and difficulties in getting staff and the stringent and necessary requirements that apply in respect of child safety, such as the training, the health and safety measures and all that goes with opening a childcare facility. It is an onerous task and not something anyone can just decide they are going to do and then open a facility tomorrow morning.

I do acknowledge the additional supports that have been provided and will be provided in the autumn in respect of childminding. Budget 2024 opened the national childcare scheme to parents who use childminding. From next autumn, they will be available for supports in line with the commitment under the national action plan for childminding. I hope that can assist in the availability of places as well.