Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It would have been more prudent had the Minister consulted with the sector prior to making the announcement. From my engagement with the sector, I am getting the impression there are significant concerns that there will not be sufficient capacity. In a reply to a parliamentary question I put down last year, the Minister stated he identified approximately 10,000 vacant places across the board. From his figures today, he will need an additional 22,500 by September 2016 for the free preschool year. That does not take into account the additional space required for the extension of the community child care subvention scheme.

Has a clear audit taken place of the exact number of vacant places? What measures is the Department going to take between now and September to ensure the required number of spaces will be available in September 2016?

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