Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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22. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received reports from the county childcare committees on the adequacy of provision for children under two years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28268/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I referred earlier to the nationwide survey on capacity in early learning and childcare services undertaken in April by City/County Childcare Committees. This survey was undertaken as part of the Action Plan put in place by my Department to respond to the early learning and childcare needs of Ukrainian children and their families. This survey was followed in May by the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey that is undertaken by Pobal. Approximately 83% of providers have already participated.

Before the onset of Covid-19, national data revealed an undersupply of early learning and childcare places for very young children.

Lower demand for early learning and childcare owing to Covid-19 gave rise to unprecedented vacancy rates – an overall vacancy rate of 21% and vacancy rates for children under 1 and children aged 1-2 years of 20% and 10% respectively.

Preliminary analysis of the latest data captured by CCC and Pobal reveal a drop in vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate now averaging at 13% and the vacancy rates for children under 1 and children aged 1-2 years 14% and 6% respectively.

The network of 30 CCC across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places. CCC are also proactively engaging with early learning and childcare services to explore the potential for services in increase capacity where there is evidence of undersupply. I have already referred to the National Development Plan and work underway to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines, both of which will also help to address issues of undersupply.

In addition, the new Core Funding Scheme, to roll out in September, will provide funding for services aligned to costs of delivery. This means higher levels of funding will be available to services that cater for younger children where costs of delivery are higher. I am hopefully this new approach to funding will encourage services to operate baby and toddler rooms, where demand exists.