Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

We have a rudimentary system from 2001, which provides that for every 75 homes the developer must provide 20 childcare places, but it is not working for a variety of reasons. The provision of childcare infrastructure cannot be based on such a basic formula alone. Like schools, we need a proper forward planning system based on demographics, assessment of need, new residential developments and that delivers appropriate childcare buildings based on the needs of that community. Instead, what we have now is crèches being built that are not fit for purpose or too expensive to be bought, kitted out and made financially viable for providers. We have empty crèches in areas of massive childcare demand. We have developers building crèches as future houses because they view as them as a liability. They are trying to get out of building them. This is not just happening because developers want to sell crèches as houses. It is because we currently do not have a joined-up planning system that views the provision of childcare in local communities as essential. We have the opportunity to address that through the programme for Government. What are the timings? Will it be part of the action plan?

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