Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

Significant parts of the childcare sector are facing collapse at the moment. In response to a parliamentary question submitted by Aontú, we found out that 789 childcare providers have closed their doors since 2007, predominantly ECCE and small providers. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government decimated provider income while shackling providers with massive debt. A total of 338 childcare providers closed during the pandemic. New core funding proposals have been made. These have been delayed for months and have shocked people as a result. The funding for ECCE providers, who account for nearly 50% of childcare providers, will be cut. The incomes of small providers will be slashed. All this is happening while that sector has experienced a cost-of-living increase of up to 70% in a decade. Since the new proposals have been made, 21 childcare businesses have closed, including two in Waterford in the last week. Will the Taoiseach step in?

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