Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Another complaint raised with me by my constituents regards after-school care, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., for example, which appears to be becoming a problem again. The recent compliance audit and compliance report audit of Pobal is putting pressure on childcare providers, particularly in Carlow-Kilkenny. I raised this issue with the Minister two weeks ago on the floor of the House. According to the non-profit community, the cost of the new regulations under the compliance audit will put more financial pressure on providers because the staff-to-child ratio must now be approximately 1:10, whereas it was 1:20. I do not have the exact figures, but non-profit organisations have stated that more funding must be made available if they are to comply with the new regulations put in place as a result of the Pobal audit. Representatives of the sector are to meet the Minister and will seek more funding because of the regulations being brought in under the new audit.