Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government has stepped in. There has been a 141% increase in investment in early learning and care services between 2015 and 2021. There has been a corresponding increase in places which grew nationally by 60%. Thousands of additional new places have been funded in recent years. Between May and August of this year, there will be an additional €78 million investment in the sector to deliver transitional funding. There will be a new core funding stream from September, enabling developments to the national childcare scheme. As the Deputy knows, the Minister has work under way. Funding has been allocated to improve career pathways, and pay and conditions for those who work in the sector.

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