Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

I thank Deputy Farrelly for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of the Government. I heard what the Deputy said about County Kildare and the specifics of the age profile in the county. In fact, at one point, I was privileged to represent County Kildare in the European Parliament and I know about some of the issues raised. I understand from what the Deputy said that this creates certain issues that perhaps are not as obvious in other parts of the country because of the age profile.

We are here to discuss early learning and childcare capacity, which is increasing under this Government. Data from the annual early years sector profile 2023-2024 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by 19% from two years previously. The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the number of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024. However, as we know, demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply, particularly for younger children and in certain parts of the country. I accept the Deputy’s point in this regard. Demand for early learning and childcare beyond sessional preschool provision is highly elastic and shaped very substantially by families' individual composition, circumstances and preferences; employment patterns and income; and the price and availability of services.

Last year, a supply management unit was established in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the programme for Government articulates an intention that it be resourced and transformed into a forward planning and delivery unit to identify areas of need, forecast demand and deliver public supply where required. A forward planning model is in development in the unit and will be central to the Minister’s plans to achieve the policy goals set out in the programme for Government to build an affordable, high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare system, with State-led facilities adding capacity.

The Government continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of core funding, which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core funding, which is in its third programme year, funds services based on the number of places available. This provides stability to services and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service.

The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The building blocks extension grant scheme is designed to increase capacity in the one to three-year-old, early childhood care and education age range for full day care. Core funding partner services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises. The Minister was delighted to announce earlier this month the 49 applications that will be progressing to the next stage of the building blocks extension grant scheme. These 49 applications come from a mix of community extension, private extension, community purchasing and community construction projects. When completed, these projects will deliver almost 1,500 additional full-time childcare places for one to three-year-olds. Three services in County Kildare were among those that were successful and will progress to the next stage of the process.

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