Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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113. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to increase supply and affordability of childcare in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61620/25]

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 2023/24 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 19% from the 2021/22 programme year. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.

The 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 fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.

Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year for a further expansion in supply of 4.2% from September 2026.

This increased investment will allow increases in growth of the sector driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families.

The total allocation for Core Funding in 2026/2027 programme year will increase to €436.54 million, an additional €43.9 million on the current full year allocation.

When contracting to Core Funding, service providers agree to abide by the Scheme’s fee management system, which includes a fee freeze at September 2021 levels and maximum fee caps. Maximum fee caps, which were introduced for new entrants to the Scheme in Year 3, have been reduced and extended to all new and existing Partner Services in Year 4.

The Core Funding fee management system ensures that subsidies to parents improve affordability for parents. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) has undergone a number of enhancements in recent years to contribute to this. These include the extension of the universal subsidy to all children under 15 and two increases to the minimum hourly subsidy, which is now worth a minimum of €96.20 per week for 45 hours.

Record numbers of children and their families are now benefiting from the NCS. Almost 220,000 unique children benefited from an NCS subsidy in 2024.

Capital funding is also contributing to increased supply. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme allows existing Core Funding Partner Services to apply to extend their existing premises or, in the case of community services, to construct or purchase new premises.

There are four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received with 50 applicants approved to progress to the next stage of the grant process. The scheme will deliver up to 1,500 places including a number in Co Kildare.