Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
905. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality where public bodies or communities can apply for State-led childcare provision to be incorporated into new or existing public buildings; whether guidance exists for inclusive provision for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6376/26]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
As announced last week, €135 million over the next five years will be made available for the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme, providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare.
The process will begin in 2026 with investment in the acquisition and/or fit out of buildings, depending on requirements of specific projects. The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design, open and operate services.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year and the initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the National Development Plan.
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects so in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee, whose details can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/
To assess potential sites, a Forward Planning Model has been developed within the Department. The model seeks to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level.
As well as the Forward Planning Model, a suite of appraisal criteria and tools have been developed in order to assess potential State-led childcare sites' alignment with Departmental goals of promoting quality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability.
One aspect of this appraisal is a site's alignment with the Universal Design Guidelines. These guidelines ensure that early learning and childcare services are accessible, understandable and easy to use for children and adults of all abilities.
