Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman is here. Childcare is in crisis and childcare providers across the country have been left with no choice but to take industrial action, go on strike and close their doors next week because negotiations seem to have broken down completely with the Minister. I am glad he is here so he can answer. There is this new model of core funding, but one size does not fit all and that is quite evident but the Government has not dealt with it. Childcare providers will close their doors next week and that will put savage pressure on ordinary, working families who will be scrambling to get childcare in order that they can go to work. That will have a knock-on impact on businesses, so the Minister needs to get seriously involved and resolve this situation. It is worse in rural areas and for smaller providers. They are hit hardest by this core funding model the Government has introduced. As I said, one size does not fit all and it is quite obvious and evident here. Will the Minister do something to try to avert the closure next week of many crèches all over the country and the knock-on impact it will have on children and their parents in the workplace?

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