The Association of Childhood Professionals (ACP) said the problem was “a huge issue” with potential legal and insurance ramifications.

In one area alone, seven pre-school facilities were issued with warning letters by their local authority in recent weeks.

These stated that they were operating in breach of planning conditions or, in one instance, had no planning permission.

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said it issued the warnings after receiving a complaint on the issue. It is understood that over 50 premises were identified in the complaint.

“Upon examination of these complaints, planning-enforcement files were opened for seven locations and warning letters for alleged unauthorised development were issued,” the council said in a statement.

In most of the cases identified, the pre-school facilities were alleged to be catering for more than was allowed under their planning permission.

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