Parents in Leitrim could end up travelling further afield or face being put on a waiting list to avail of new and extended childcare subsidies.
Research carried out by the County Childcare Committee reveals that there could be a shortage of up to 200 places at centres in Leitrim if every eligible child were to register.
It comes following the extension of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme last year and now with the introduction of the new Affordable Childcare Scheme.
These two programmes will work side by side but because they give greater access to parents to avail of services it means service providers are now under pressure.
Tommy Lavelle, Manager of the Leitrim County Childcare says many of the facilities in Leitrim are not set up to deal with the expected increase in numbers:
