Significant parts of the childcare sector are facing collapse at the moment. In response to a parliamentary question submitted by Aontú, we found out that 789 childcare providers have closed their doors since 2007, predominantly ECCE and small providers. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government decimated provider income while shackling providers with massive debt. A total of 338 childcare providers closed during the pandemic. New core funding proposals have been made. These have been delayed for months and have shocked people as a result. The funding for ECCE providers, who account for nearly 50% of childcare providers, will be cut. The incomes of small providers will be slashed. All this is happening while that sector has experienced a cost-of-living increase of up to 70% in a decade. Since the new proposals have been made, 21 childcare businesses have closed, including two in Waterford in the last week. Will the Taoiseach step in?

The Government has stepped in. There has been a 141% increase in investment in early learning and care services between 2015 and 2021. There has been a corresponding increase in places which grew nationally by 60%. Thousands of additional new places have been funded in recent years. Between May and August of this year, there will be an additional €78 million investment in the sector to deliver transitional funding. There will be a new core funding stream from September, enabling developments to the national childcare scheme. As the Deputy knows, the Minister has work under way. Funding has been allocated to improve career pathways, and pay and conditions for those who work in the sector.

It is lowering the funding for providers and they are closing.