Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

State childcare providers throughout the country, including in my own local community, will close in response to concerns around their core funding. If childcare services are not adequately funded we will not be able to provide parents with adequate access to childcare. My area is growing, with a great deal of new building in such areas as Lucan, Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Newcastle and Citywest. In that area we do not have enough childcare places to meet demand as it is. We cannot afford to have childcare providers closing; we need more to open. This year the Government is investing €1 billion in early learning and childcare. That is welcome. I note €221 million is going into the core funding. However, we need more. Will this budget provide support both for childcare providers and for parents who access childcare?

See this speech in context