 

Childcare providers are warning that services could close and the number of places cut unless the Government funds the cost of running them.

 

The bleak warning will come as huge concern to many areas in the North West where it already extremely difficult to secure child minding services.

 

Earlier this year it was reported that 2,650 children under three were on waiting lists for Early Years childcare across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.

 

The figures from Pobal’s Annual Sector Profile Survey have been released as part of calls from Early Years Ireland for urgent supports in the upcoming Budget.

 

A breakdown of the numbers for the respective counties found that 1,580 children under three years of age in Donegal were on waiting lists for a place due to ongoing staffing challenges, to Early Childhood Ireland.

 

In Sligo, the figure is 690 while up to 380 children under the age of three in County Leitrim were alos on waiting lists.

 

 

The Federation of Early Childhood Providers, which represents over 1,500 early years services, says services are at breaking point.

 

Although it backs the Government's goal of childcare costing parents no more than €200 a month, its Chairperson Elaine Dunne says her members cannot afford to take on any additional costs like rising wages:

 

 

 

 

&nbsp;
Childcare providers are warning that services could close and the number of places cut unless the Government funds the cost of running them.
&nbsp;
The bleak warning will come as huge concern to many areas in the North West where it already extremely difficult to secure child minding services.
&nbsp;
Earlier this year it was reported that 2,650 children under three were on waiting lists for Early Years childcare across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.
&nbsp;
The figures from Pobal&rsquo;s Annual Sector Profile Survey have been released as part of calls from Early Years Ireland for urgent supports in the upcoming Budget.
&nbsp;
A breakdown of the numbers for the respective counties found that 1,580 children under three years of age in Donegal were on waiting lists for a place due to ongoing staffing challenges, to Early Childhood Ireland.
&nbsp;
In Sligo, the figure is 690 while up to 380 children under the age of three in County Leitrim were alos on waiting lists.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Federation of Early Childhood Providers, which represents over 1,500 early years services, says services are at breaking point.
&nbsp;
Although it backs the Government's goal of childcare costing parents no more than &euro;200 a month, its Chairperson Elaine Dunne says her members cannot afford to take on any additional costs like rising wages:
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