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Seanad: Better Planning for Local Childcare Provision: Motion (17 Jul 2024)

Emer Currie: I move: "That Seanad Éireann: welcomes: - the extensive commitments by the Government to address long-standing challenges in the early learning and childcare sector and to improve access, affordability, and quality of provision; - the increase to over €1 billion per annum in State funding for the sector this year, including Core Funding, a new model which aims to improve...

Seanad: Better Planning for Local Childcare Provision: Motion (17 Jul 2024)

Erin McGreehan: I welcome the Minister to the House. I thank Senator Currie and the Fine Gael Senators for tabling the motion. It is very important that we all speak in here on childcare. The Government is the first Government to have a real focus on childcare and it is very welcome. It has provided one of the largest budgets ever. We have seen a lot of positive changes over the past four years. The...

Seanad: Better Planning for Local Childcare Provision: Motion (17 Jul 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I thank the Minister for coming into the Chamber. I sincerely thank Senator Currie for tabling this really important motion. All opportunities to continue to shine a spotlight on what needs to be done in childcare are very welcome. We all acknowledge that a huge amount has been achieved in this space in recent years. Notwithstanding that, there is considerable frustration among parents....

Seanad: Better Planning for Local Childcare Provision: Motion (17 Jul 2024)

Aisling Dolan: I welcome the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. I have seconded the Fine Gael motion on better planning for local childcare. I thank Senator Currie for her work on this, her continuous efforts to support families and her determination to find solutions. This is of course an innovative approach. The Government has made strides in supporting parents to...

Seanad: Better Planning for Local Childcare Provision: Motion (17 Jul 2024)

Shane Cassells: I welcome today's motion and the discussion about childcare. At the outset, I pay tribute to the Minister and this Government for the work they have done over the past four and a half years. It has been hugely important and massively accelerated the professionalisation and development of early learning and childcare in this country. With this motion, we are rightly discussing the need for...

Seanad: Better Planning for Local Childcare Provision: Motion (17 Jul 2024)

Mary Seery Kearney: Lest anyone thinks I am unqualified to speak in this area, I have owned a childcare facility. I built the largest one in the city in 2002. I have been a consultant to the sector and led them through GDPR. I have consulted and been a mentor on county childcare committees. If anyone thinks I do not know what I am talking about, actually I do. When I speak to and meet with services, I...

Seanad: Better Planning for Local Childcare Provision: Motion (17 Jul 2024)

John McGahon: I will be brief. I thank Senator Currie for arranging this debate. I wish to touch on three key areas. One is related to the planning aspects of childcare, the second is related to the experiences of childcare providers in my home town of Dundalk, and the third is a point about Senator Currie’s report she recently did about a new model. To touch off on the planning aspect, it...

Seanad: Better Planning for Local Childcare Provision: Motion (17 Jul 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: ...That is why we have announced the €25 million for next year in terms of building blocks. That will be important. We are focusing that building blocks investment on services that will be offered to one- to three-year-olds, recognising the particular challenge at that end, even before we get into the ECCE side of things. That is where our big challenge is now. When it comes to...

Seanad: Better Planning for Local Childcare Provision: Motion (17 Jul 2024)

Emer Currie: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. You always leave something out whenever you make your initial contribution. I should have been clearer that when I spoke about leasing back to providers, I was not saying this should involve only private providers, but I do feel they are under financial pressure and this would alleviate that. Core funding is working to increase stability...