Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
903. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the development of Phase 3 of the First 5 Strategy, particularly in relation to the proposed pilot Child and Family Centres; when clarity will be provided regarding potential funding mechanisms for projects that are shovel-ready such as (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15006/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-208) commits to piloting the development of Family and Early Childhood Centres that bring together a range of services to support parents and children.
The Phase 2 implementation plan indicated that this pilot will be considered under Phase 3 of the Strategy (2026-2028).
Development of the Phase 3 implementation plan is currently in progress. The First 5 Open Policy Debate took place on in June 2025. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the publication of the strategy, to reflect on priorities for the coming years, and to enable stakeholders to contribute to the development of the new Implementation Plan for 2026-2028. Currently, the Department is liaising with relevant stakeholders to determine key outputs and actions for the coming years. Further information on First 5 including progress reports can be read on www.gov.ie/first5. The Annual Implementation Report 2025 is due for publication in the coming months.
A related commitment in First 5 is to explore the potential for integrated service development and delivery for babies, young children and their families, through early learning and childcare settings as a natural hub for collaborative work with families.
A number of key initiatives are underway to support the delivery of this commitment.
As part of the National Development Plan review an allocation has been made of €197 million for capital investment in early learning and childcare over the next five years. This increased funding will be used in part to provide additional early learning and childcare places through future capital programmes, which will primarily focus on implementing the commitment to capital investment in State-owned early learning and childcare facilities as well as investment in existing providers to expand their capacity and a number of quality initiatives including supports to childminders.
State-led early learning and childcare is a substantial new development committed to in the Programme for Government. A number of specific sites for 2026 are under active consideration by officials although no definitive decisions have yet been made. Some of these sites may allow the potential for a range of services to be delivered in or adjacent to the building.
The Buildings Blocks Extension Scheme is providing investment in 2026 to existing early learning and childcare providers to expand their provision by means of extensions to existing buildings, or in the case of community not-for-profit operators, to purchase or construct buildings on new sites. Some of these projects include the delivery of other child and family services in addition to early learning and childcare, as committed to in the previous NDP. Officials in the Department are currently examining options and detailed specifications for future Building Blocks schemes, and I expect to announce details this year. There will be continued support to expand early learning and childcare provision alongside other child and family services where there are viable projects.
The Equal Start model and Access and Inclusion Model have also been embedding supports in settings, to deliver integrated service development and delivery by creating important links with Tusla, the HSE and other key community-based support organisations. This approach recognises early learning and childcare settings as a natural hub for collaborative work to support families.
Equal Start is a funding model and set of associated universal and targeted measures to support access and meaningful participation in early learning and childcare for children and their families who experience disadvantage.
Equal Start includes a suite of universal supports, child-targeted supports, and setting-targeted supports to ensure every child and every early learning and childcare setting will benefit from a continuum of supports that reflects a continuum of need.
Equal Start is embedding supports in all settings, supporting positive experiences and outcomes for all children.
The model supports the creation of important links with Tusla, HSE and Better Start amongst others, promoting inter-agency working.
The below actions support settings’ engagement in inter-agency cooperation:
• Roll out of the Traveller Parenting Support Programme in 17 Tusla areas, with responsibilities on Family Link Workers to engage with Traveller parents of young children, supporting them to attend and participate in early learning and childcare. Appointment of Traveller and Roma Advisory Specialists to work in Better Start to promote inclusive early learning and childcare.
• Roll-out of Early Talk Boost – an intervention for language delay - to settings with a priority designation. Training is delivered by Better Start Specialist tutors, Early Years Mentors within the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme and HSE tutors, supported by a HSE super tutor.
• Development of guidance and supports to support services to participate in inter-agency cooperation such as Meitheal.
• Appointment of Traveller and Roma Advisory Specialists to work in Better Start to promote inclusive early learning and childcare.
• A new leadership role is currently in development under Equal Start. The Family Community Partnership Coordinator role will have as its key focus the deepening of engagement between early learning and childcare services, families and the wider community.
This Department also provides funding for the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme, via Tusla. The FRC Programme is a community development initiative that is supported by multiple State agencies and Government departments in a partnership approach. FRCs may draw on various sources of funding provided by Government departments, agencies and private sources. FRCs provide a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities that address the needs of families. FRCs are usually located in disadvantaged areas and serve as vital hubs for a wide range of community activities, catering to all age groups from early childhood to senior citizens. Funding was secured in Budget 2025 and Budget 2026 to allow membership of the FRC Programme to increase from 121 to 136 nationally, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
