It is impossible to find a childcare place at the moment in Cork city and county, even if one has the money to spend what is effectively a second mortgage. Current figures released to Mr. Peter Horgan, which are reported in The Echo today, show that some 130 children were affected by the closure of 30 after-school facilities last year.

That is just after-school care. Add to that countless more in the preschool category that have closed, including crèches. I know of one in particular in Grange which is affecting a lot of parents. There is a particular crisis in Cork although it is an issue everywhere. It is high time the State took a more direct role in increasing capacity and addressing the sustainability of the sector. What is the Taoiseach's intention to ensure greater capacity is created in the Cork area for early years services? It is preventing many people from going back to work or going to work. It deprives other children of a quality early years education.

I thank the Deputy for raising this point. He raised it with me beforehand. I am aware of the article the Deputy spoke about. Whenever a childcare, early learning or after-school care service closes, it is a deeply traumatic time for children and parents. That being said, a significant number of early learning and after-school care services have opened in Cork in the past year. I will write to the Deputy so the figures he spoke about can be put in context. Concerning next steps, a significant capital scheme is available in 2024 of €20 million for existing services to expand to open new rooms and provide new offerings for children in early learning and after-school care. We are working with local authorities to make sure that when new planning applications are granted for houses and a childcare facility is linked to that, the facility is delivered. We know that does not always happen right now. We are working with the Department of housing and local government to strengthen the regulations.