Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

This issue arose many times on the doorsteps while we canvassed in the past few weeks. In one case, a parent had contacted 25 providers in Tallaght and Clondalkin and still could not find a place for her child. The Minister has stated previously that successive Governments have under-resourced and undervalued childcare in Ireland. This problem is caused by providers that see the provision of childcare for toddlers as more lucrative than that relating to babies. The Minister has indicated that, under the NCS, a subsidy of €5 per hour will be paid in respect of every baby. Is that amount too little? Does it help make financial sense for childcare facilities to provide places for children under the age of one?

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