Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
170. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider Dublin 15 in the first round of projects under the State-led childcare programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29075/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
€135 million of capital investment will be available over the coming five years for State-led services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative.
The Department is now assessing project options in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme. Up to eight capital projects will be selected under the programme in 2026. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
A forward planning model has been developed by officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to better understand the nature of supply/demand misalignment and to inform decision making about capital investment. Analysis is ongoing of the data in this model in order to identify areas of greatest undersupply.
The forward planning model maps publicly-subsidised provision by service type and age group of children against the numbers of children in the corresponding age bracket in the local area and allows for granular and specific analysis to be undertaken.
As well as the forward planning model, a suite of appraisal criteria and tools have been developed in order to assess the potential alignment of projects with Departmental goals of promoting quality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability.
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects in the State-led early learning and childcare programme, so in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project, including in Dublin 15, should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee. Contact details for City/County Childcare Committees can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/
