Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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726. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that communities seeking to establish new childcare facilities are precluded from accessing Building Blocks, the only financial support available, as they are not an existing service; if she will rectify this to ensure the funding is more accessible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34188/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Ensuring access to early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. There has been a significant expansion of provision in recent years and a 19% increase in children enrolled in services between 2022 and 2024.

We are continuing to support the sustainability and expansion of the sector through ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding supports providers with operating costs based on the number of places available.

Capital funding is one way that Government supports capacity expansion. €25m in voted expenditure is available for the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme in 2025. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme closed for applications on 30th January and a total of 78 applications were received from across the country. 50 of these applicants have been successful in progression to the next stage of the process.

The funded applications include a mix of community and private services and different types of projects including extensions, constructions of new builds and purchases of new premises. The scheme was only open to existing Core Funding partner services to ensure an existing track record of service provision and adherence to the conditions attached to the Core Funding scheme, including in respect of fee management.

The approach to capital investment in future years is being considered within the context of the Programme for Government commitments and the revision to the National Development Plan which is ongoing.

Consideration in this regard is being given to the possibility for future capital programmes, including potentially operating a further to support the expansion of provision.

My officials and I are continuing to engage with colleagues across Government on the review of the National Development Plan, the outcome of which will determine the timing and scale of future capital investment initiatives.