The Taoiseach mentioned earlier all the money that has been spent on Blanchardstown. He might just keep me in mind for the courthouse in Portlaoise.

The programme for Government commits to reducing childcare costs by €200 per month per child. I understand work is planned in phase 2 of the affordability measures. Will the Taoiseach confirm these measures will include the long-term goal of delivering that €200 monthly cost reduction? I acknowledge the €135 million allocated for State-led childcare, the acquisition of buildings this year and the Building Blocks exchange scheme. However, capacity and affordability remains a crisis in my constituency of Laois. A parent who contacted me is paying over €1,500 per month for a single child. Another has been hit with an immediate €200 per child fee increase. For many people, the €200 commitment is a lifeline and I am asking that it be implemented without delay.

In the last budget we increased the level of State investment in early learning by about 12%. We cannot do everything in one budget. This is a five-budget Government. Childcare is a key issue; it is in the programme for Government. All three parties in the Government are committed to it. Decisions were taken on the last occasion about disability, for example, which went up dramatically. The income thresholds are increasing from September 2026, which will allow more low- and middle-income families to qualify. We will have the budget in October to see how much further we can progress the commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the costs of childcare to people in line with the objective of the programme for Government.

The Taoiseach will keep me in mind for the courthouse, will he not?

I will keep him in mind for the courthouse.