Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

When I started in this role, costs for parents, lack of pay for staff and sustainability for providers were the big challenges. We have managed to do a significant amount in those three areas. Now capacity is the big challenge and I recognise that. We have a plan. A dedicated unit in my Department is looking at the national situation and putting in place the various measures to support it. Some of it involves providing capital money upfront. We have €80 million this year in capital funding. We will have more in 2025 to grow out the capital schemes to support people to increase capacity, be they private or community providers. We are looking to change the planning regulations to ensure where planning permission is granted for an early years service, it is delivered. I am sure the Deputy can cite examples from her constituency of it not happening. I have seen some in mine as well. I am coming up against time. The payment of staff is important in terms of staff being available to allow providers to use the existing capacity they have. If they do not have staff, they do not have ratios and they may not be able to use all the rooms in a service.

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