I would like to raise the shortage of childcare places particularly in Lucan and Newcastle. I have been contacted by parents who cannot find a place for their child and are met with really long waiting lists. Sadly, in some cases, this means that one parent, invariably the mother, decides to change her working hours because she cannot find appropriate childcare.

I have also been contacted by a number of childcare providers who are disappointed in the funding they are due to receive under the new ECCE core funding model. They said that it will not cover the increase of fuel costs, never mind the much needed wages increase for trained staff. Parents in my constituency cannot access the childcare they need. Some childcare providers, who were so grateful for the support of the Government that allowed them to keep their doors open during the pandemic, are saying that they may have to shut their doors. What will the Government do to support parents and the industry more?

The chief way we are supporting the industry is through core funding, the massive investment of €221 million across a full year, which is designed to support capacity. The Deputy has highlighted that capacity is missing in certain areas. The funding is designed in ways to recognise that there are gaps, particularly for younger children under the age of one. Where a service provides a baby room for children under one year of age, there is additional financial support recognising the extra staffing needs of a service like this.

I responded to Deputy Dillon earlier on the provision of additional capacity. Some €70 million is provided in the national development plan. Next year, we will put out a call for the modernisation and extension of existing services. The following year, we will put out a capital call for new services. We are also aware of how the planning system may be used in the obligation to provide services where large developments are undertaken. I had a very useful meeting with a range of city and county planners on Monday to see how my Department can work with the Department with responsibility for housing to revise planning guidelines.