Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

I dtosach báire, aontaím leis an Teachta go bhfuil tábhacht faoi leith ag baint leis an nGaeilge agus leis na naíonraí trí mheán na Gaeilge. D’fhreastail mé ar naíonra in 1980 agus tá mé fós anseo ag labhairt Gaeilge. Tá suirbhé foilsithe ag an Roinn, the annual early years sector profile. I gcomhthéacs Chontae Phort Láirge, taispeánann an suirbhé go bhfuil líon na bpáistí ar an rolla tar éis méadú agus go bhfuil laghdú tagtha ar líon na ndaoine ar na liostaí feithimh. Beidh 1,500 áit nua an bhliain seo chugainn faoin building blocks extension scheme, lena n-airítear seirbhísí i gContae Phort Láirge.

The programme for Government outlines a wider ambition to deliver an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system with State-led facilities adding capacity. This will include additional resources for forward planning, the development of a capital programme of investment for State-owned early learning and childcare facilities, co-ordination with the school building programme, supports for services within schools and developing planning guidelines to ensure that early learning and childcare buildings are provided at the point of use. The Government is committed to delivering on this vision over the term of office.

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