Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I am pleased to see that the Minister's priority is to ensure improved quality, affordability and sustainability of early learning and care and school-age childcare services. I am also aware of the announcement of the crucial and much-needed support to help parents with the cost of early learning and child care both immediately and as part of a longer process of transformation of the sector. While I welcome the Minister's response, I have concerns.

The Minister stated that 449 new services have opened, yet an awful lot have closed. He spoke of retirement from the sector but what is the Department's strategy to address this? It needs to be examined. We need specific measures to help parents. I have spoken to parents in recent weeks. There are significant concerns about this matter.

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