15,000 childcare places left unused

ABOUT 15,000 childcare places that cost taxpayers €75 million to make available are not being used, largely because of low demand caused by unemployment and the recession.

But the Government faces a challenge to ensure those places remain open to families when the economy turns around and the need for placement increases, the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) heard.

Jim Breslin, Department of Children and Youth Affairs secretary general, told TDs that one in five of the places supported by the national childcare investment programme are unfilled.