Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
345. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if Tullamore, County Offaly will be considered for a State led childcare facility, given the serious need which has already been evidenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8794/26]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing substantially. Enrolments have grown by 25% in the past three years. However there remain challenges for some families in accessing the type of service that they wish to in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
A new State-led capital programme is set to commence in 2026 to help improve levels of supply. The programme will make available €135 million over the coming five years for investment in buildings to enable the delivery of State-led early learning and childcare services.
The Department is now beginning to assess project options in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme. Up to eight capital projects will be selected under the programme in 2026. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
A forward planning model has been developed by officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to better understand the nature of supply/demand misalignment and to inform decision making about capital investment. Analysis is ongoing of the data in this model in order to identify areas of greatest undersupply.
The forward planning model maps publicly-subsidised provision by service type and age group of children against the numbers of children in the corresponding age bracket in the local area and allows for granular and specific analysis to be undertaken.
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects in the State-led early learning and childcare programme so in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project, including in Tullamore, County Offaly, 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/.
