Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The issue here is the new core funding model. Our aim, in introducing the core funding model, is to make sure that the provision of service is viable for providers and that staff have good terms and conditions. We have seen a lot of progress in that regard with the new employment regulation order. I acknowledge the role of SIPTU in the Big Start campaign in that respect. We want to ensure that childcare is affordable for parents and that children get the best quality service that can possibly be provided. We have seen a step change in investment in childcare over the past two years as a Government. I believe that will make a difference in relation to supply. We are very much aware of the tightness of supply in certain parts of the country in particular. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is working with his officials and the sector to fully implement the Government's new policy on childcare to provide that investment and make sure that we increase capacity across the country.

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