Ms Bernie McNally:

No. Many parents choose smaller services for their children and, while there is still not enough access for parents, it is good that there is more than there was. For services to run viable businesses, though, they need a certain critical mass. A number of years ago, we had 1,000 services with ten children in each. No one will be able to apply for an income with that type of income. Since those very small services were not sustainable, it is probably good that we are seeing some growth in the critical mass. As to the question of whether major centres are good for children, it is important that those services be of a good quality and that we inspect them well and so on to ensure that they are of a high standard.