Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 April 2026
2476. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration is being given to provide targeted support for childcare providers in parts of the country where the rent of commercial premises is significantly higher than the national average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25141/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Government does not currently provide targeted financial supports for rent in the early years sector, it does offer other forms of funding and support to help ensure the availability and sustainability of early learning and childcare places.
The Government is investing more than €1.52 billion a year in early learning and childcare and school-age childcare, working with providers to ensure children have access to high quality, affordable early learning and childcare.
The Core Funding Scheme has provided consistent and substantial investment into the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare sector, since its launch in September 2022. In that first year, Core Funding had an allocation of €259 million, over €210 million of which was entirely new funding. The Core Funding allocation increased to €287 million in programme year two, €331 million in programme year three and has exceeded €390 million in the current programme year (which commenced in September 2025).
As part of the Case Management process, City or County Childcare Committees (CCC) assist services with issues and difficulties that arise. This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
There are financial supports available from the Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, which can be accessed through their local City/County Childcare Committee while remaining within Core Funding.
The fund is accessed through a collaborative process involving the service, their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC), and Pobal, who assess financial eligibility and need.
Once a service engages with their local CCC they will be able to avail of sustainability supports through the case management process. Contact details for all City and County Childcare Committees are available on the gov.ie website.
