Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
668. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to address the shortage of childcare places across Waterford city and county; if she will consider Tramore as a pilot area for state-led childcare intervention; if she has considered correspondence from a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53043/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra€135 million is being made available between 2026 and 2030 for the State-led Early Learning and Childcare capital programme, providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare.
The process will begin this year with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements. The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design, open and operate services.
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, including a forward planning model which allows for detailed analysis.
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects. In the first instance, we are asking anyone who might have a suitable premises or project to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee, whose details can be found here: cccw.ie/
The Department is now assessing project options in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme.
To date, nine projects have received approval-in-principle and are being developed to Final Business Case. Local City and County Childcare Committees are supporting the development of projects.
No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
Officials have the correspondence that the Deputy refers to and a response is being prepared.
