A group representing childcare providers says parents are struggling to find pre-school places for their children. Early Childhood Ireland, says there aren't enough crèche and montessori places to meet the demand for the government's second free pre-school year. 60,000 additional children became eligible for the scheme in last year's budget. The Irish Examiner reports that 22,500 extra spaces will be needed in September, with a further 22,000 in January.

CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, Teresa Heeney, says childcare providers are facing capacity problems all year round: