Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I raised with the Taoiseach the issue of crèche closures and the lack of childcare places. I have corresponded with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, on the specific issue of a crèche closure in my constituency. This closure is indicative of a much broader problem, namely, that there is a real shortage of childcare and crèche places for families throughout the country. I was contacted by a family last week who were shocked to discover that their local childcare facility has a waiting list of in excess of 400. In the mums' WhatsApp group, the mother involved was advised that she should have reserved her child's place before she was 12 weeks pregnant if she wanted to secure a spot in the facility. This situation indicates the severe shortage of childcare facilities across the country. Will the changes being introduced by Government, which we have welcomed as they move us towards a more secure and publicly funded service, lead to a guaranteed preschool place for every child? Will we see the sort of equal approach to early years childcare that Labour has been advocating for so long?

See this speech in context