Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to understand that child care costs what it does because the subvention did not target child care places and a couple of hundred million euro has been removed from the sector. I am examining our two schemes to determine how they can operate more effectively. Even though we are providing support to more than 100,000 children, it is clear that a review of the schemes will give us more effective targeting. However, the review on its own will not increase capacity. Any overall increase in supports is likely to require additional investment. I have maintained the free preschool year and ensured an extra €5 million in supports for quality child care, targeting training and mentoring, a scheme on which I announced yesterday. I have continued to fund the preschool year and increased the number of community employment, CE, scheme places. Extra places will require additional investment. The review of the schemes should lead to greater targeting of those families that need child care the most.

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