Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support what has been said. The Minister said that 3% growth is envisaged. Is that for this year and going forward annually or does he envisage it will grow at a greater pace? Will the Minister provide in tabular form later the number of childcare services that have been established, especially in my constituency? I would appreciate it. To allow me to compare, will he include the number that have closed to see whether there is a net gain or net loss?

I have two other supplementary questions. I support Deputy Gould on the Before 5 childcare centre. I am aware the Minister is looking at the possibility of capital funding for new services. The difficulty with Before 5 childcare is that the service wants to be ready for September and if we wait to allow a new plan to materialise from the Department, we might miss the boat on that.

I will also follow up on the planning permission issue that was raised. Who makes the call if a crèche or childcare facility was permitted in a development? Is it at the developer's discretion or do the community childcare facility and local authority make the call?

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