Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1991. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the provision of childcare places under the NCS in Athlone, in particular for children with urgent developmental needs; the steps being taken to ensure that approved NCS beneficiaries are not left without access to creche facilities, including any emergency childcare measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46566/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Improving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.

Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile shows that the estimated number of enrolments has increased by 19% between 2022 and 2024. Core Funding application data shows that between Year 1 and Year 3 of the scheme, annual place hours increased by almost 15%. However, it appears that demand for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.

My Department continues to support the 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, which is in its third programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.

This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the current programme year, the allocation for Core Funding allows for a 6% increase in capacity. Additional funding was secured in Budget 2025 to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025, in the fourth year of the scheme.

My Department is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises.

50 applications will be progressing to the next stage of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme. These 50 applications come from a mix of Community Extension (24), Private Extension (7), Community Purchasing (4) and Community Construction (15) projects, which, when completed, will deliver 1,500 additional full time childcare places for 1–3-year-olds. I look forward to seeing how these projects progress over the coming months.

Regarding the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), once parents are awarded a CHICK, they may choose any approved provider that meets their needs and has a place available. A list of early learning and childcare providers offering the NCS may be found here: www.ncs.gov.ie/en/childcare-search/.

My Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.

While early learning and childcare providers are private entities and set their own admissions policies, local City and County Childcare Committees can provide assistance in finding childcare places and can provide assistance with any issues of concern.