Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
As announced last week, €135 million will be made available over the next five years for State-led services providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare.
The process will begin in 2026 with the acquisition of buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. 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 who will operate the services.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The state-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the National Development Plan.
A Forward Planning Model has been developed within the Department. 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.
As well as the Forward Planning Model, a suite of appraisal criteria and tools have been developed in order to assess potential State-led childcare sites' alignment with Departmental goals of promoting quality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability.
The Department is developing a long list of potential projects for the State-led Childcare Capital Programme that are being assessed.
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects, so in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project 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/). Improving access to quality and affordable.
