The programme for Government is committed to supporting childcare, and a great deal has been done in supporting the sector, parents and operators in respect of costs. Concerns have been raised with me by a number of small rural services about the early childhood care and education, ECCE, funded seasonal preschools. They outlined to me concerns about possible closure. One preschool, for example, is attached to a primary school and it feels it may not be able to open next September based on the core funding model. I acknowledge the very significant funding that has been provided for day services, for example. There is a great diversity in the different services being offered and there is room there and the need for all of them. We need to see these smaller childcare services continue in our rural areas. If they close, there are no alternatives available to people. Is there a way of ensuring these vital services continue?

I thank the Deputy for his question. We are moving towards a model where childcare will be largely funded by the State and will be much more affordable for parents. That is something that is welcomed by everybody in this House. Some details will have to be worked out and I am aware of some small providers, in particular, who have a different cost model based on the fact they are small and it costs more to run a small organisation or business per client, per customer or per child than would be the case for a larger business. I know the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, is keen to engage with the sector to try to iron out any difficulties that arise, with a view to keeping services open.