Promises, promises, promises . . . this Budget and its predecessor have been big on talk about childcare. The reality is that parents are finding it increasingly difficult to find provision at any cost.

All the money in the world is no good unless playschools/nurseries/creches can get planning permission. As it stands, childcare providers are increasingly having to make major investment and career decisions on the back of temporary planning permission. This is easily revoked and, apparently, easily undermined by An Bord Pleanala's attitude.

With young children of my own, I must declare an interest here. Nevertheless, it seems incredible that, as reported this week, a creche alongside a row of shops, a bank and a pub fronting on to a busy road and backing on to a primary school, with all the noise inherent in that situation, should be forced to close despite having earlier secured temporary planning permission. How does this happen?

At a time when more and more estates are cropping up on the peripheries of towns and cities around the State, occupied by the young couples and families this economy needs in its labour force to maintain its forward momentum, it is incumbent on Government to ensure that childcare facilities can be provided where they are needed - in the community. Once that happens, we can argue about the cost of such care.

Dominic Coyle can be contacted at dcoyle@irish-times.ie