There's a warning many childcare providers are in a precarious situation - amid a rise in closures.
The Federation of Early Childhood Providers says funding remains a fundamental problem.
The group spoke with 600 providers over the past two weeks and say many are struggling to keep their businesses open.
Elaine Dunne from the federation says parents may soon struggle to secure a place for their children if closures continue:
"We saw five before Christmas in rural Cork, four announced closures in one area of rural Meath last week, two services now in Dublin have been announced, and another two before Christmas in Dublin. You're starting to see more and more and more closures - which is something we had predicted".
