Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1589. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the terms of reference for the new future planning section within her Department; and her views in relation to same. [59518/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Forward Planning and Delivery Unit in the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division.

A new Supply Management Unit was created in January 2024. 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.

The Unit is responsible for capital investment in capacity in the sector. It is currently operating the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme to deliver additional capacity through existing operators. Under the scheme, existing community and private providers could apply for funding to physically extend their premises. In addition, existing community providers could apply for funding to purchase or to construct new premises, which included modular buildings. Fifty applications were approved.

The Unit is also leading the development of State-led early learning and childcare services, which will be enabled by capital allocation provided in the revised National Development Plan 2026-2030. As announced in the context of Budget 2026, €36 million will be available in 2026 for early learning and childcare capital programmes. This will include acquisitions of new buildings through the State-led early learning and childcare programme, alongside continued investment in expansion of existing early learning and childcare operators through the Building Blocks scheme.

A key aspect of the preparatory work for State-led ELC programme being undertaken by the unit is the development of a forward planning model. The forward planning model draws on administrative data to map the child population and location of funded services, and GIS mapping tools to model the link between children and available services. This will enable the identification and comparison of areas of need with a consistent methodology.

State ownership of facilities is a very substantial and significant development and offers the potential to influence the nature and volume of provision available and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand. Detailed policy development and design is ongoing in order to progress to implementation stage.

The Unit is also leading an Early Learning and Childcare Planning Matters Working Group including officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage; and the Department of Education and Youth. This group is progressing the Programme for Government commitment to review the 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities to ensure childcare spaces are provided and put into use.