Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.

Cork City Childcare Committee, funded by my Department, has been engaging with this service since the service took over this location and will be offering assistance on options for funding and wider supports.

With regard to the broader question of early learning and childcare supply in Cork City and elsewhere, a range of steps are being taken by my Department to address issues of under supply.

Building on the recent success of Core Funding in incentivising capacity, I secured additional funding in Budget 2024 for a further 3% growth in capacity for year 3 of the scheme, commencing from September.

I also secured funding in Budget 2024 to open up the National Childcare Scheme to parents who use childminders from next autumn, in line with the commitment in the National Action Plan for Childminding.

Moreover, last week I announced the opening of the application process for Building Blocks – Capacity Grant, supported under the National Development Plan, which will fund an expansion of existing services in areas of under-supply. A new Supply Management Unit established within my Department is leading on this important work.

The Unit’s remit will be to develop the planning function, for better monitoring, analysis and forecasting of investment needs, in line with a recommendation of the Expert Group in their Report – Partnership for the Public Good. The Unit will also support the work of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to update Planning Guidelines for Early Learning and Childcare Services, as committed to in First 5.