Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The return of schools is very welcome for many parents who spent the last six months caring for children and continuing to work. It builds on previous work in reopening the early-years and childcare sectors. While this will allow more people to return to work should they wish to do so, many gaps in provision remain to be addressed in the provision of after-school and community services. This is particularly the case for single parents. By their nature, many of these after-school and community places are created on an ad hocbasis with individual facilities offering them when they become available.

With this in mind, ensuring that parents can afford this service will be vital in increasing the provision of these places. What supports is the Minister developing to help parents access these services when they become available?

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