Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

At this stage, we are all dizzy from being on the merry-go-round with the Minister on the issue of childcare provision. It has come up so many times, yet there has not been enough resolution from him. I heard directly from the early childcare providers, namely, the FECP. Its representatives were here with us in the audiovisual room last week briefing us on this issue. Many were experienced providers who have been in the sector for 18 to 20 years. They told us they cannot keep their doors open, that they are really struggling and have to borrow money to keep their businesses open because they do not want to let down parents. That came across from the meeting and it would have done the Minister good to have heard from those providers as well. It would be better, maybe, if he met them directly rather than trying to hide behind a stakeholder forum. I ask him, therefore, to engage directly with them, because this is the only way we will get solutions.

Earlier, the Minister mentioned solutions. One solution would be for him to meet these providers face to face and hear about these problems for himself. The Minister and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have completely failed to address the ongoing concerns identified by providers in Laois and Offaly and around the country. Last week's action was inevitable and it was the result of a major breakdown in trust. Information provided to me by the FECP shows that at least 141 crèches closed their doors across almost every county in 2022 and that a further 46 have closed this year alone. This very fact, in and of itself, should have provided the necessary wake-up call, and, indeed, an alarm call, to signify that a major crisis was brewing.

We know from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers that the increase in core funding is well below inflation and the cost of living, with industry costs rising six times faster. This makes more service closures inevitable unless the Government immediately changes course. Will the Minister respond directly to the federation's repeated requests for a full breakdown of the funding allocated to the sector? It has said that the claim of €1 billion annually being spent on childcare is false. This is what the FECP is saying. It is stating that it is clear that only 55%, or €564 million, of this alleged budget goes towards supporting the sector.

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