James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One should be careful about extrapolating the figures based on the survey because that may not be accurate. I do not say that is unreasonable but it may not be accurate. We are reviewing this area because the Government is keen to support a second free preschool year at some point in the future and there is concern among providers that we need to address inconsistencies in quality, inspections and standards before introducing a second year. That work is ongoing. I have had meetings with the representative bodies and I have listened to their concerns. It is well accepted that we need to conduct the review before we move forward.

There are 4,300 child care services and almost all the preschool services in the country participate in the ECCE programme.

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