State investment in childcare facilities 'insufficient'

Childcare workers have criticised a new Government investment programme, deeming it insufficient to make any improvements in the quality of a large number of childcare facilities around the country.

The Minister for Children announced today that €12m will be spent on improving 62 childcare centres.

It comes after hundreds of parents lodged formal complaints that their children are being neglected at crèches.

The National Children’s Nurseries Association has said that the money should be spent on improved staff training programmes.