Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As regards the overall funding of the sector, I am focused on the report of the expert funding group. I have contacted it since taking on this role as Minister. I have asked that we will have something very clear by the middle of next year to allow three major pieces of work: the expert funding group, the workforce development plan and the organisational review of the entire sector. I am hoping for those three pieces of work to be ready for the middle of next year. When we have those three key pieces of information, we can make major decisions at that point about the future of childcare. While I do not agree with the Senator's statement that it is in crisis, I accept that there are significant pressures within the system. I am determined to address those pressures over the course of my Ministry. I look forward to continuing to engage with the Senator and everyone within the sector to achieve that.