The National Children's Nurseries Association is calling for improved monitoring of childcare services following revelations about widespread breaches of safety regulations in such facilities.

THE deportation of students and searches of schools for failed asylum seekers is terrorising young people and harming international views of Ireland, a teachers’ leader warned last night.

The National Children's Nurseries Association has called on Finance Minister Brian Cowen to include additional support for childcare in his Budget later today.

CHILDCARE providers warned last night that the VAT increase announced by Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy yesterday will dramatically increase the cost of childcare.