To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the progress of the scoping exercise being undertaken to understand the business support needs of the early years and childcare sector.

The research is progressing at pace. Consultations have taken place with individual childcare providers and parents as well as a cross-section of stakeholder and representative organisations within the Childcare and wider sectors. The information gathered is now being analysed and the research remains on schedule to complete by the end of March. The resultant evidence base will allow my Department to move quickly to make recommendations to the Minister of Education on the nature of assistance required by Childcare providers.