Childcare providers from the north west and around the country are taking their protest over funding to the Dail this morning.
The Federation of Early Childhood Providers say they are not prepared to back down as the Early Learning and Care sector faces more closures.
It’s estimated that up to 260 or more providers could be facing closure next year.
The protest centres on the new core funding which has left many providers non-viable.
Claire Barden runs two child care provision centres in Ballymote and one in Collooney.
She says the sector is under serious pressure at the moment with many providers struggling to attract and retain staff.
The qualifications necessary to work in the industry as well as the constant re-skilling and administrative demands are placing demands on the owners of child care facilities and as a result many are leaving the industry.
She says todays protest is looking to raise awareness of the challenge that are currently facing those working in the sector.
