Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
805. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of expressions of interest received by her Department in respect of State-led childcare facilities in County Cork; the locations from which such expressions of interest have been received; the timeline for delivery of the first State-led childcare facilities in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33047/26]
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.
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 Department has received project proposals from a number of sources since the programme was launched which, along with projects which the Department was aware of prior to the programme launching, includes 88 potential projects across the country as of 24 April 2026.
Projects come to the attention of the Department by a number of routes, including:
Preliminary Appraisal Forms submitted to the local City/County Childcare committee - 25 projects
- Direct engagement by the Department with other public bodies such as the LDA or local authorities - 31 projects
- Engagement with Approved Housing Bodies who deliver early learning and childcare - 7 projects
- Projects which applied but were ineligible for a previous Building Blocks grant scheme - 2 projects
- Other projects brought to the attention of the Department before the programme was launched - 13 projects
- Projects identified through research conducted by the Department - 10 projects
10 of these projects are located in Cork city and county.
These projects are in very different stages of development. Some relate to existing buildings ready to occupy or fit out, while others are longer-term prospects for future years. Not all proposals align with the programme objectives and some may be funded by other means including the next round of Building Blocks. Some projects are proposed by an existing early learning and childcare service provider, while others relate to a building/property only and a separate process to identify an operator would be required.
The Department is aware that this is not an exhaustive list of all projects that could form part of this programme of investment, and will continue to seek potential projects for consideration.
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.
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects. In the first instance, anyone who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee whose details can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees
