Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

I will deal with the different issues that have been raised. I take on board the overall point that the Deputy is making regarding the efforts that we have to put in place to fund supply. That is being done in two different ways at the moment. At local authority level, the guidelines for planning authorities in respect of childcare facilities aim to make clear the minimum number of childcare places that should be provided for a certain number of dwellings that may be available in a new community or on a new site that is being developed. The planning dimension of this is getting clearer and clearer in terms of laying out our expectations regarding what should be built. From a core funding point of view, what we are aiming to do now is to work with the childcare sector to put in place the funding to try to help with the hiring and retention of staff. I understand that for the 2025 to 2026 programme, a further €45 million has been allocated, resulting in a combined core funding allocation of €390 million. I hope this, along with the implementation of the third employment regulation order, which is all about having the right levels of pay and the right standards within the sector, will lead to improvements in recruitment and retention. Regarding the buildings themselves, we have in place a grant scheme that is overseen by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Deputy Foley, the aim of which is to deliver an additional 1,500 places.

I thank Deputy Currie for raising this. It is an important issue in west Dublin, including Dublin West, and we will continue to do all we can on it.

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