Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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363. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the closure of a childcare centre (details supplied); if her Department is engaging with the owners to ensure the families impacted are supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28328/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.

Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2023/24 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 19% from the 2021/22 programme year. Core Funding application data shows that between Year 1 and Year 3 of the scheme, annual place hours increased by over 15%. The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the numbers of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply, particularly for younger children and in certain parts of the country.

Demand for early learning and childcare beyond sessional pre-school provision is highly elastic and shaped very substantially by families' individual composition, circumstances, and preferences; employment patterns and income; and the price and availability of services.

Last year, a Supply Management Unit within my Department was established, and the Programme for Government articulates an intention that the unit be resourced and transformed into a Forward Planning and Delivery Unit to identify areas of need, forecast demand, and deliver public supply within the childcare sector where required.

A forward planning model is in development which will be central to my Department's plans to achieve the policy goals set out in the Programme for Government to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare system, with State-led facilities adding capacity.

My Department is aware of this forthcoming closure, and has been informed that there is ongoing engagement between the service and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Childcare Committee. The County Childcare Committee has provided contact information for parents should they need help to secure alternative childcare.

Parents/guardians can also use the following website to find Core Funding Partner Services in their area at www.ncs.gov.ie/en/childcare-search/.