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

An interesting point is that more than 1 million children have done ECCE, about one fifth of our population, as it has been available since 2009. The next steps will be a decision for the next Government. I have strong views. I agree with the Deputy. ECCE is the cornerstone of early learning and care. I would love to see it on a statutory basis so that every child would have a legal right to ECCE in the same way as primary and secondary school places. I would legislate for that. The capacity issue is huge. If there is a legal obligation on the State to provide a place, then the State has to do more to provide the place. I spoke to the Deputy about my view of a greater public role in the provision of childcare. We start in areas with insufficient spaces and where capacity is low. The State should become a player, perhaps through ETBs or something like that. It should have the role alongside private and community providers in delivering ECCE and broader early learning and care.

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