Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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332. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has surveyed the demand for childcare places in the Dublin region, that is counties Wicklow, Kildare, Meath and Louth; if he has collated the number of persons seeking childcare but cannot source a spot in these counties; and his plans to address the shortfall in available spaces. [21811/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority. 

Before the onset of Covid-19, national data indicated that, on the whole, supply of early learning and childcare places was meeting demand, with evidence of undersupply for certain age groups including children under 3, and in certain areas.

Data gathered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic from parents revealed lower demand for early learning and childcare. There was also evidence of reduced occupancy among early learning and childcare services. Indeed, survey data captured from providers in June 2021, previously shared with the Deputy, found significant vacancy rates across the country – of 21% - and in counties, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow (see below).

This survey also captured data on waiting lists. Based on providers reports, an estimated 38,987 children were a waiting list nationally. While the number of children on waiting lists is an indication of demand, it must be noted that parents often place their child/children on multiple lists. Therefore, this figure cannot be used to indicate overall demand.

Data collection under the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2021/22 is currently underway. The closing date for providers to complete this survey early May. This will allow for updated information on capacity among early learning and childcare services to be established. This will also provide updated information on waiting lists across services.

As outlined previously to the Deputy, my Department is planning a range of steps to address issues of under supply. A new funding model, to roll out in September, will provide funding for services aligned to costs of delivery so, for example, greater funding will be available to services that cater for younger children where costs of delivery are higher than older children. Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places. Another important step being taken by my Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government (DHPLG), is to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. In addition, CCC are currently proactively engaging with early learning and childcare services to identify unused capacity and explore the potential for services in increase capacity where there is evidence of unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.

Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.