Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2026
313. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when she intends to provide all county childcare committees with the Shaping the Future - Early Years Action Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27432/26]
View answerShaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 report was published on the Department's website on 17th December 2025 and is available to download at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/shaping-the-future/[]. It sets out measures to achieve key Programme for Government commitments on the affordability, quality, and accessibility of early learning and care and school-age childcare. The Phase 1 report focuses on short-term actions to be undertaken in 2026 within the budgetary resources available for the year.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment, a broad public consultation process is currently underway. An online survey has been completed, with more than 11,000 responses. Local consultation events will take place between the 20 - 30 April 2026 and are being organised with the City and County Childcare Committees.
Results of this consultation process, as well as additional analysis, will inform Phase 2 of the Action Plan. The Action Plan adopts a phased approach that enables action to be taken in 2026 while allowing adequate time for the broad public consultation and analysis on longer-term actions, which will be set out in a second report, to be published by the end of 2026.
