Early Childhood Ireland calls on Government to erase shortfall in crèche places

In Cork, 534 children under the age of 1 are on waiting lists with just 17 places available for them. There are 1,124 children aged 1-2 on waiting lists with 36 places available, and a further 1,110 children aged 2-3 on lists with 291 places available. File picture: Denis Minihane

The Government has been urged to prioritise funding to increase the number of available places for children in early years settings in the upcoming Budget, as figures show thousands of children vying for just a few hundred spaces.

Early Childhood Ireland made the call ahead of October’s Budget, and ahead of the return of many early years and school age care settings which are set to re-open next week after the summer break.