Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
1005. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether existing childcare services will be acquired by the State through The State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11783/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
A core objective of the programme is to deliver additional publicly subsidised supply for Early Learning and Care where required, with a focus on places for 1- to 3-year-olds and sufficient places for children to age up in the same service.
As such, the programme will seek to identify vacant buildings or new potential sites that are suitable for use as early learning and care services subject to refurbishment, fit out or construction requirements, rather than existing early learning and childcare services which are already delivering capacity.
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.
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.
This Department is assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
