Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. Improving access to quality, affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare is a key priority for the Government. Capacity in this sector is increasing. Data from the annual early years sector profile for 2023 to 2024 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 19% over the previous two years. School-age childcare has shown particular growth in recent years. The estimated number of enrolments for schoolgoing children nationally increased by 56% during this period. Moreover, 261 new school-age childcare services were added to the Tusla register in 2024, leading to a net increase of 225 new school-age childcare services in one year alone. That is significant, notwithstanding the fact that we always need to do more.

It does appear, however, that the demand for early learning and care in school-age childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country. The Deputy specifically referenced his own area. While this is more generally a bigger issue when it comes to younger children, there may be instances of misaligned supply for local demand for school-age childcare, notwithstanding the substantial increase in provision. Demand for places 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.

My Department 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, including school-age childcare places. Additional funding was secured in budget 2025 to facilitate a further increase expansion in capacity from September 2025. Expansion in school-age childcare has also been supported by the extension of the national childcare scheme subsidies to all children up to 15 years of age, and particularly the incremental increase in the rates of universal subsidy from 50 cent per hour in 2023 up to €2.14 per hour since 2024.

The Department also funds 30 city and county childcare committees, which provide support and assist families and providers. The network of 30 childcare committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them.

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