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

Every year a significant number of new preschool providers apply to participate in this programme. This increased demand for and additional investment in free preschool provision should encourage greater numbers of applicants. It is clear more capacity will be required. Officials in my Department are working closely with the city and county child care committees and voluntary child care organisations to identify measures to help increase capacity. My Department will also be making data available to the committees in the coming weeks, broken down by district electoral division area, to assist their work with providers to meet service demands.

There was extensive consultation prior to the development of this programme by the interdepartmental group with stakeholders and parents through meetings and online surveys. There are challenges with which the Department will be helping the sector to deal.

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