The Government's childcare policy is failing. We have had promise after promise and we still see parents paying a small fortune in fees, a perpetual staffing crisis and, every year, parents struggling to find places for their children. These problems are the result of the Government's refusal to invest properly in the sector. Childcare services in many areas right across the State are now at breaking point. As the Minister will know, next week, many childcare centres are going to close their doors for three days, which will leave parents, along with thousands of children, in a very difficult situation. They will be left in the lurch as they desperately search for alternative arrangements so they can simply get to work. This again shows how crucial it is that we begin to move childcare towards being a public service. When will the Government finally change direction and invest properly so that children and families will have the childcare they deserve at affordable prices? Does the Government plan any interventions before the action by childcare providers next week?

I thank the Deputy for raising this important point. I have met childcare providers in my own area and the Minister has expressed his disappointment with the action the federation has chosen to pursue which is, as the Deputy has said, the closure of early years childcare facilities between 26 and 28 September. The number of providers currently recorded as being closed is 56. As I have said, the Minister believes the closure of services is unwarranted at this time. Core funding has been in operation for just over a year, since 15 September 2022, and 95% of providers, more than 4,200, have signed up in the first year. There is already significant evidence of the success of the scheme. There is no question that issues have arisen and that childcare providers have concerns but there is a mechanism to discuss these with the Minister and the Department. The Minister is open to that.