Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have spoken to the Minister on a number of occasions about the need to introduce large-scale grant aid towards the provision of childcare centres. As the Minister will recall, some time ago there was grant aid available of up to €1.1 million to assist community organisations providing much needed childcare. Some of the childcare facilities that were developed at that time need to be upgraded. There are other areas that need new childcare facilities. I hope the Minister can have a very substantial increase in grant aid to assist both private providers and community organisations to provide new and additional childcare accommodation.

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