Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
633. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that some rural families are effectively excluded from the national childcare scheme due to the absence of participating providers in their locality; if consideration is being given to alternative supports, such as a rural access provision or financial assistance, for such families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44341/26]
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. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021/22 programme year. 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.
It is a matter for each early learning and childcare operator to decide whether they enter into any contractual arrangement for the funding schemes, including the National Childcare Scheme. A key condition, however, for all Core Funding Partner Services is that they are in contract for the National Childcare Scheme and administer the subsidies children in their service.
In addition to current funding, and in particular Core Funding, which supports the delivery of early learning and childcare places, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality also makes available capital funding to support the expansion of supply. All capital funding is contingent on operators being Core Funding partner services, which in turn requires the service to administer the National Childcare Scheme for children in their service.
The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity of full day places for 1–3-year-olds. Capital funding was available to Core Funding Partner Services to physically extend their premises or, in the case of not-for-profit services, to construct or purchase new premises. The scheme will deliver up to 1,500 places, with a substantial proportion of these places in rural areas.
A further Building Blocks extension scheme is now open for applications. This round of capital funding will focus on funding extensions to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full-time basis and is open to both community and private providers who are Core Funding partner services.
Separately, I recently announced €135 million of capital investment over the coming five years for State-led services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. This capital programme will deliver additional supply of high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare to address deficits in capacity, particularly for younger children and in disadvantaged/rural areas, in line with public management policy goals. All State-led early learning and childcare capital programme services will make available the National Childcare Scheme to participating children.
The process of identifying projects for investment is underway. Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The State-led early learning and childcare capital programme will provide thousands of places up to 2030.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs are encouraged to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee who can support and advise them on options in their area.
