Ms Valerie Gaynor:

Parents using our service are asking questions about the scheme mainly because we are talking about it. When they say they are booking their children in for September, we tell them that a new affordable childcare scheme has been announced and that although we do not know the details, there may be a reduction in their fees. However, as providers, they expect us to be the experts and have that information available. It is very difficult to support families and parents if we know nothing about a scheme. Knowing about it in September will be way too late for us. There is a huge influx of ECCE children in September; therefore, the enrolment element must be looked at also. From a parents' perspective, the information needs to be available much sooner - by May at the latest - particularly for services that operate on a sessional basis and that operate from primary schools which may be closed during the summer. I work in a service that operates from a primary school. We also offer a full day care service, but as many parents do not use our service during the summer, we close. Parents need the information before September.