Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have seen capitation rates increase over the last two years to try to address that and ensure some of that money is transferred to staff and staff supports. We have seen other measures that complement the changes to childcare, from the initial introduction of one free year of pre-school to now having two free years of pre-school for parents and families; an extension to paternity leave; and two weeks of paid paternity leave. Across multiple areas, we are trying to make childcare more affordable, to make sure that the quality is guaranteed and audited and we are trying to ensure that the working conditions within childcare facilities also improve incrementally. All of that cannot happen overnight but much is happening and we are seeing dramatic increases in the financial resources going into driving that change.

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