Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
860. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will mandate that local city and county councils prioritise tenders from community groups over private providers for community childcare in publicly owned facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36975/26]
View answer861. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will mandate city and county councils to identify land and premises that would be suitable for community childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36976/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 860 and 861 together.
Local authorities are independent statutory bodies with their own democratically elected councils and management structures. Subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions.
As such, I do not have a role in mandating how local authorities manage and make available their assets. However, I would encourage all local authorities to consider how they can best support making affordable, accessible and high-quality early learning and childcare available in their own area.
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.
The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design and open services, and these providers will run the services.
Engagement with Local Authorities and other public bodies is ongoing to identify potential sites for State-led early learning and childcare which can be appraised to assess alignment with objectives.
Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan follows through on the Programme for Government commitment to “undertake a broad consultation and publish a detailed Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system with State-led facilities adding capacity. This plan will enhance parental choice through ongoing support for public, private and community provision, as well as childminders.”
The Shaping the Future Phase 1 report notes that analysis and consultation for Phase 2 will include consideration of the appropriate balance between private, community, State-led and childminding provision.
