Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Replies to recent parliamentary questions revealed a serious shortage of ECCE places, particularly in the commuter belt of County Meath and in Cork. There seems to be a shortage of 1,050 places in Meath and 2,460 places in Cork. I am glad the Minister acknowledged that settings offering full day childcare will be prioritised because the issue needs to be addressed. Recently, I was contacted by a parent who was informed she could only enrol her child in an ECCE scheme if she signed up for a supplementary one hour and 15 minutes of care per day, at an additional cost of approximately €100 per week. Parents facing this choice believe their options are being limited. I acknowledge, however, that the Minister addressed this issue.

When parents sign up to the scheme, would it be possible to guarantee a place for the second year, rather than having them sign up for only one year? Is there a way to write into the script, as it were, a requirement on childcare providers to offer an ECCE place for two years?

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