Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

That €25 million investment under the building blocks scheme has and will provide for an additional 1,500 additional places, which are obviously much needed and a positive step forward. It is important, however, that we take the opportunity to review an existing programme every year. I am absolutely committed to reviewing existing measures and adding new measures.

Deputy Kerrane referenced the State-led facilities, which are a new innovation and a positive step forward to facilitate those. There is a forward planning unit within the Department which will be focused on looking at areas where there are specific challenges. The Deputy has consistently referenced one such area in her constituency. There are other areas throughout the country where there are significant challenges regarding childcare provision. I have always been very clear that it is the determination of the Government to support existing providers through mechanisms like the building blocks scheme and, where that is not possible and the State needs to step in, the State will step in. We will use the information from the forward planning unit to make those decisions.

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