Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I have established the accelerating infrastructure task force to support the immediate work programme of the new infrastructure division in my Department, which is to identify and propose measures to address barriers to the delivery of strategic infrastructure across Ireland.  This issue is key priority for me and the Government. 

The work programme for the task force and the new division will focus on many critical infrastructure areas in terms of the electricity and energy, transport and water sectors, as these three key elements are required to underpin the development of all other economic and social infrastructure, including healthcare, housing and childcare facilities. The specific issue of childcare policy and places to which the Deputy refers is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.

The wide-ranging work of the accelerating infrastructure task force is accelerating the project life cycle which should support the underpinning of better social infrastructure, including childcare. For the Deputy's information, the role of the task force, which I chair, is primarily focused on cross-cutting policies. Specifically, it will provide strategic guidance and expert input to policy proposals to speed up infrastructure delivery. It will provide guidance and advice to officials to ensure that barriers to infrastructure delivery are identified accurately and represent the most impactful barriers impeding timely and effective delivery. It will also provide guidance and advice on the development of a small number of high-impact reform items that are robust, achievable, time-bound and rigorously focused on addressing the challenges identified. These reform actions will be brought to Government for approval. The task force will oversee the subsequent implementation of these reform actions through challenge meetings with the Departments and agencies responsible for implementation.

Furthermore, the existing Project Ireland and national development plan set out national strategic outcomes which emphasise the importance of access to quality childcare, education and health services and aim to ensure that the co-ordination and provision of childcare places, primary and post-primary schools places and health infrastructure are consistent with the objectives of the national planning framework.  Therefore, the ongoing review of the national development plan will consider the programme for Government commitments on childcare. The broader references are there in terms of State involvement in the provision of childcare.

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