The Taoiseach has moved to reassure parents that creches will not have to close in the new year because of insurance issues.
Leo Varadkar has ruled out the prospect of the State covering the insurance bills of private companies.
However, he insisted parents will not return to creches in the new year to find that they aren't open - and said the Government is working with industry to find a solution to concerns raised by childcare providers.
His comments come after more than a thousand providers were impacted by the exit of one of the main companies - Ironshore - from the Irish market in July.
Despite efforts by insurance brokers Padraic Smith & Co to find a replacement, it has confirmed no alternative insurer has been found.
The company says they will "continue to explore every possible avenue, with the hope of being able to offer competitive policy options to all creches and childcare providers across Ireland in the future".
Meanwhile, a number of childcare providers have claimed insurance quotes they are now getting are unsustainable.
Elaine Dunne - who runs two creches in south Dublin - told Newstalk that her own quote has gone from €2,600 last year to €4,100 this year.
Parents have also raised fears they could be left without a childcare provider in January if creches cannot afford the increased premiums.
'Under control'
Speaking in the Dáil today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the remaining insurer in the market is doing what it can to help.
He acknowledged parents' concerns, but said he's confident "the situation is under control and will be resolved".
Mr Varadkar explained: "As things stand, only one underwriter - Allianz - is currently providing insurance to childcare providers following the exit of Ironshore from the market.
"Up to 1,300 childcare providers have been affected by Ironshore's exit, with most of their policies due to expire on the 31st December.
"Allianz, through its broker Arachas... has stated that it is willing to consider quotes for all affected services: quotes are being processed within 24 hours of applications in the vast majority of cases, and so far the majority - 869 [providers] - have been given quotes, as of today."
He added: "I do want to say that the vast majority - close to 100% - of childcare providers are now registered for next year.
"People can be given the reassurance that they're not going to find out when they go back to their creche or childcare provider in the new year after the holidays that they're not open.
"They will be open - but that's not to say there won't be difficulties finding insurance in the next few weeks."
Peter Boland from the Alliance for Insurance Reform, meanwhile, argued that the Government needs to now come up with a "creative response" to address the current situation.
He said: "We're staring down the barrel of a gun here: we cannot afford to lose childcare facilities on January 1st."
