Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the response. We have to wait and see how the new supply and management unit in the Department, which has been operational since January 2024, responds to the issues in a locality. Yes, the local childcare committee can identify where there are vacancies and where there is need but there is no point in telling someone in Rosscahill or Oughterard that there is a place on the far side of Galway city or in Clifden or in Carraroe. Obviously in most cases, as well as bringing children to childcare people might also have to do the school runs. They may have part-time or full-time jobs. There has to be a very local match to the demand. That is the concern that I have. Yes, places can be identified but they have to be identified locally.