Childcare group say not enough room for children in pre-school

60 thousand additional children became eligible for the scheme in last year's budget.

But Early Childhood Ireland says there's no way it can be delivered in time.

The Irish Examiner reports that 22 thousand 500 extra spaces will be needed in September, with a further 22 thousand in January and 15,500 in April.

67 thousand children already benefit from the original free pre-school year.