Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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226. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to improve the provision of childcare in an area (details supplied) whereby childcare facilities are at full capacity or have extensive waiting lists and parents are unable to find any childcare place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27649/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.

My Department has in place a range of supports and funding schemes to support the delivery of early learning and childcare places but services are independently operated, either by community not-for-profit or by private for-profit providers.

The level of capacity in the sector has risen substantially year-on-year between 2022 and 2023 as evidenced by survey data collected by Pobal, by administrative data from Core Funding and the National Childcare Scheme and registration data collected by Tusla.

However, there is also evidence that demand for places is increasing and, for certain cohorts and in certain areas, outstripping supply. This is partly driven by the significant improvements in affordability that have been achieved in recent years and I acknowledge that some families experience challenges in accessing places, particularly for younger children.

The design of funding schemes and the increased allocation of resources to the sector is supporting ongoing expansion of capacity, and in particular for young children. The rates of both the National Childcare Scheme and Core Funding weighted towards funding for young children given the higher staff costs that are required to operate at lower ratios.

Additionally, capital funding has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant investment in further expansion of capacity. Building Blocks Capacity Grants are focused on increasing the number of full and part-time places available for 1-3 year olds. Appraisal of applications for this scheme considers the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch.

Additionally, I have established a new unit in my Department to undertake more detailed analysis of the nature and quantum of supply and demand for early learning and childcare across the country. This work will help to inform how best to support the delivery of provision in the years to come.

In individual cases where parents are having difficulty finding a suitable early learning and childcare place, the local city or county childcare committee may be able to assist in identifying vacant places.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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227. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will provide support to a parent with childcare needs (details supplied). [27655/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.

My Department has in place a range of supports and funding schemes to support the delivery of early learning and childcare places but services are independently operated, either by community not-for-profit or by private for-profit providers.

The level of capacity in the sector has risen substantially year-on-year between 2022 and 2023 as evidenced by survey data collected by Pobal, by administrative data from Core Funding and the National Childcare Scheme and registration data collected by Tusla.

However, there is also evidence that demand for places is increasing and, for certain cohorts and in certain areas, outstripping supply. This is partly driven by the significant improvements in affordability that have been achieved in recent years and I acknowledge that some families experience challenges in accessing places, particularly for younger children.

The design of funding schemes and the increased allocation of resources to the sector is supporting ongoing expansion of capacity, and in particular for young children. The rates of both the National Childcare Scheme and Core Funding weighted towards funding for young children given the higher staff costs that are required to operate at lower ratios.

Additionally capital funding has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant investment in further expansion of capacity. Building Blocks Capacity Grants are focused on increasing the number of full and part-time places available for 1-3 year olds. Appraisal of applications for this scheme considers the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch.

Additionally, I have established a new unit in my Department to undertake more detailed analysis of the nature and quantum of supply and demand for early learning and childcare across the country. This work will help to inform how best to support the delivery of provision in the years to come.

In individual cases where parents are having difficulty finding a suitable early learning and childcare place, the local city or county childcare committee may be able to assist in identifying vacant places.