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

I am satisfied that there is additional capacity in the early years sector to cope with some of the increased demand. The annual survey of early years services which was conducted in December 2014 estimated that there were more than 24,000 vacancies in early years services across the country, with almost 13,000 of these vacancies in sessional services. I am also aware that every year a significant number of new preschool providers apply to participate in the programme and the increased demand for and the additional investment in free preschool provision should encourage a greater number of applicants. The restoration of capitation rates to pre-2012 levels from September 2016 should also encourage a greater number of new applicants and encourage existing preschool providers to expand. I am clear that more capacity will be required and that January and April enrolments may pose a challenge. Officials in the Department are committed to assisting with these challenges. They are working closely with the city and county child care committees and the voluntary child care organisations on a range of measures which will assist preschool providers to meet increased demand for free preschool provision, particularly from January and April 2017. Further information on these measures will be available shortly. A mapping exercise has started in the Department to identify where the gaps might be.

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