Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In my role as Minister, I will be engaging with all representative bodies regarding childcare provision. That is ongoing this week and will be for the next number of weeks. Their point of view and experiences will be very important to the general discussion we have on moving towards the €200 target that has been set. Equally important to that will be the voice of parents. That is already under way. It will be supported by the scoping exercise that is already under way and the forward planning unit that is now positioned within the Department. It will not be just one element that will inform how we will proceed. Rather, it will involve all stakeholders in the sector. They will be invited to share their thoughts and views on it and it will inform best practice on initiatives by the Department as we seek to achieve the €200 target, as outlined in the programme for Government.

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