Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
107. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality how the new €135 million programme of State-led early learning and childcare services will support increased capacity and improved access for families in Kildare North, particularly in areas experiencing sustained demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13255/26]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by 25% over the last three years. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
I recently announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this Government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements.
There will be a particular focus in the new State-led facilities on providing places for 1-3 year old children because this is where the need is greatest, with scope for these children to progress in the service until they start school. The aim of delivering additional supply of this type in suitable locations will include both rural areas and urban areas which are not well served at the moment.
A suite of appraisal tools has been developed, including a forward planning model, in order to select projects that align with these objectives.
The forward planning model is in development which will be central to the Department's consideration of potential projects. 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.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year and the State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the National Development Plan. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government. The initial approach is on purchasing and refurbishment of buildings given that this is a faster route to delivery in the short term. However, the option of building new facilities will also be considered over subsequent years.
Services will be operated on a not-for-profit basis by third parties. Where a project is being considered without an operator already in place, the Department will run a process to identify an appropriate not-for-profit operator, with capacity to operate a high-quality service.
The Department is assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
