Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Minister's comments on the investment and the work she is doing to try to address the issues in the system. However, there is one area I am not picking up on. The survey of parents is being done and that is very worthwhile, but I am particularly interested in the Minister's measures to try to engage with the existing providers about moving to a different model of childcare provision. The Minister has talked about trying to open up a public service basis and actually having services directly provided. Many childcare providers in my area of Dublin-Rathdown are concerned about how that could impact on them in the future. They have invested quite significantly in their businesses. They know their communities and the parents and they want to know how this will potentially impact them and if they are going to be engaged in this transition.

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