Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy very much. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority for Government. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the annual early years sector profile shows the estimated number of enrolments has increased by approximately 19% between 2022 and 2024. However, it appears demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.

As announced in the context of budget 2026, €36 million will be available in 2026 for early learning and childcare capital programmes. This will include acquisitions of new buildings through the State-led early learning and childcare programme, continued investment in expansion of existing early learning and childcare operators through the building blocks scheme and a number of quality initiatives, including supports to childminders. The building blocks extension grant scheme earlier this year approved 50 projects to progress to the next stage of the grant process. The scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full day places for children aged between one and three years old. The 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. Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year for a further expansion in supply of 4.2% from September 2026. The total allocation for core funding in the 2026-2027 programme year will increase to €437 million, an additional €44 million on the current full year allocation.

Separately, since August 2024, parent’s leave and benefit have been increased to nine weeks per parent per child, bringing Ireland in line with the EU work-life balance directive. The combined durations of maternity, paternity and parent’s leave and benefit now equate to 46 weeks paid leave for a two-parent family, supplemented by an entitlement to 16 weeks of unpaid maternity leave and 26 weeks of unpaid parental leave per parent. This constitutes significant progress towards achieving the First 5 ambition of enabling children to be cared for at home during their first year, which is supported by substantial research and evidence and reduces the demand for early learning and childcare for very young children, particularly those under the age of one.

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