Childcare providers say that they are being forced to pull out of a Government funding scheme...

The Core Funding Grant was set up back in 2022 to help childcare providers with operating costs. However, to avail of this, providers had to commit to a fee freeze…

Owners say that given soaring costs over the last number of years, along with wider challenges, they are now being forced to up their fees and in turn pull out of the grant scheme.

Joining Kieran to discuss this is one of those making this decision - Rebecca Fleury, who runs six premises across Donegal, as well as Elaine Dunne, from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers.

Later, Kieran is also joined by Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Children and TD for Roscommon / Galway.