Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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They are excellent questions. I am asking these questions myself and we are working through them. It is important to give a little more fact and detail to help answer them. Some 3,000 of the 4,600 providers are being covered by the existing insurer and 2,600 of these are part of the insurance scheme organised by Early Childhood Ireland, ECI. We understand that the great majority of these providers face premia increases of approximately 10% in 2020. It is important to put this on the record. I am aware of the significant percentage of increase for some crèches, which the Deputy has referred to and which I will come to in a moment, but it is important to mention the other crèches too. Some 2,600 of those crèches with the ECI face 10% increases. Of the other 400 that are insured currently through Allianz, I am informed that they will have an increase in the region of 30%.