Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This issue has dominated headlines and is a cause of increasing concern. I have a personal interest in the matter as the parent of a young child attending childcare and the spouse of a childcare provider. Although my wife does not operate her own facility, she works in the sector. I have received a significant number of emails and calls on the issue and will meet several providers this week in Leopardstown and Stepaside. The services in those areas are totally oversubscribed. Without an abundance of childcare facilities, parental choice is limited.

There is confusion among providers regarding the regulations and requirements and shifting dates. Although I fully acknowledge the need to have the best standards of care for our most vulnerable, particularly our children, the current situation is of significant concern. It is my worry that many facilities will not reopen in the new year. Several facilities have written to parents to inform them that they do not have the resources to comply with the regulation requirements or complete the relatively onerous online portal.

I am appealing to the Minister to provide clarity and guidance such that I can go back to the providers and underline that this is not an attempt to punish or disrupt services but, rather, aims to ensure the best level of care is provided, and that it will incorporate an element of flexibility such that services can be delivered in a timely manner and, crucially, parents will not go through a period without a childcare provider. We must all work together to ensure that children are protected in a way that allows such flexibility.