Independent republican TD Brian Stanley has set out the case for Laois to be one of the first locations for the Governments new childcare scheme.
He told the Tánaiste Simon Harris that ‘all day, childcare is in short supply in the county’.
Addressing the Deputy Stanley welcomed the announcement of the new scheme.
He said: “The announcement by the Government of the new childcare scheme is welcome.
“The idea is that the Government will buy or build childcare facilities, particularly in areas where there are shortages.
“It is a small start. Similar to a lot of Members of the House, I would like it to be a lot more expansive, but it is a welcome start.
“It is reported that €177 million will be available over a five-year period and eight buildings will be bought or acquired in the first year.
“There is a desperate shortage of childcare and early years learning places in Laois. The 84 registered places in the county are full.
“Parents contact me to say that they cannot get a place for their child, particularly when it comes to full-day services because a lot of people in Laois are commuting.”
Deputy Stanley says that Durrow, Abbeyleix, Rathdowney, Graiguecullen, Mountrath, Mountmellick, Portarlington and Portlaoise are all in need.
He said: “The following towns are short of services according to parents, providers and the childcare committee: Durrow, Abbeyleix, Rathdowney, Graiguecullen, Mountrath, Mountmellick, Portarlington and Portlaoise. Every town in the county needs them.
“We have had a population surge in the last 15 years which is going to continue according to the Government’s plans.
“I am not against that, but we need more child places. My ask is for one of those eight premises to be designated in Laois. We need it desperately.”
In response, Tanaiste Simon Harris said: “I thank the Deputy for his acknowledgement that this is a positive policy direction.
“I am eager that the State invests directly in trying to acquire public space to provide capacity. We rightly have debates in this House about reducing childcare fees.
“We have a clear view on where we want to get to over the lifetime of the Government.
“Alongside that, we are going to need places and capacity and to support staff. We have identified that money.
“There will be an exercise done in identifying areas in which there is a need for that intervention. I am sure there will be many such areas.
“The Deputy has obviously made his case for Laois. I will ask the Minister to consider those matters and link with the Deputy.
“We will see increases in simplification this year. One of the big bugbears we are hearing from childcare providers is the amount of bureaucracy.
“We need to cut that back. In September, we will also see reductions in childcare fees for the 47,000 lowest-income families.”
