15. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents with children attending a childcare centre (details supplied); the actions she will take to engage with management of this childcare centre on these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49128/25]

Sentiment score: 0.12

My question relates to a childcare provider in Dublin who has indicated it is withdrawing from the market. Has the Minister plans to do anything to prevent such things as this happening and thereby increasing the costs hugely for parents using those facilities?

Sentiment score: 0.01

I accept what the Minister said. This scheme is optional for companies and I understand why that is the case. I also understand that we campaigned on this issue last year and we promised the parents we would deliver serious cuts to the cost of childcare, reducing it to €200 per month. There are 11 centres throughout Dublin. As the Minister mentioned, the owners of this facility have changed the facilities in three, one of which is in my constituency in Shankill but there are two others in my constituency in Dún Laoghaire and Cherrywood. Parents in my area are really worried that the contagion, if I can call it that, is going to spread to their facilities. The increase in cost is going to be up to €340 per child per month. It is totally unacceptable. We need to take action. I accept the Minister has engaged but it does not seem to be working. Can we make sure it is going to work?

Sentiment score: 0.02

I accept everything the Minister said. The owners of this facility say that the core funding model traps services in outdated, frozen fee structures while the cost of delivering quality childcare has continued to rise. I want this scheme to work. I want to make sure that the Minister's engagement with this company works and that we bring them back into the fold. However, the reality is there are parents in my area who are genuinely concerned that they are facing fees in the region of €1,400 per month, per child. It is an astonishing amount. It is a massive burden on parents throughout the country, which is why we all campaigned to bring that down to €200 per child per month. That is what we are trying to do. Does the Minister agree that if the companies are not buying into it - and yes, it is their option to do that - does that not massively compromise our ability to reduce the cost of childcare? They have changed it in respect of three centres but there are 11 in Dublin. Is the Minister not concerned that if she is not successful in engaging with these companies that it will compromise this policy?

Sentiment score: 0.10

I thank the Minister.

Sentiment score: 0.36