Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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316. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the efforts her Department is making to address the fact that childcare is a barrier for women taking up apprenticeships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64042/25]

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. 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 (2025/6) to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year (2026/7) for a further expansion in supply of 4.2%.

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 at least €436.54 million, an additional €43.90 million on the current full year allocation.

Capital funding allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the National Development Plan has enabled significant investment in early learning and childcare. This allows existing Core Funding Partner Services to extend their existing premises or, in the case of community services, to construct or purchase new premises.

The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024 with a closing date in January 2025. There were 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 from next year.

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, investment in expansion of existing early learning and childcare operators through the Building Blocks scheme and a number of quality initiatives including supports to childminders.

The NCS establishes an equitable and progressive system of universal and income-assessed subsidies for children up to the age of 15.

The universal subsidy is set at a rate of €2.14 per hour and is available for up to 45 hours per week, for a child aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. Higher rates may be available through an income-assessed award however this depends on the family’s individual circumstances.

Where both the applicant and the applicant’s partner (if applicable) are engaged in work or study, or meet certain other enhanced hours criteria, an “enhanced hours subsidy” of up to 45 hours per week may be awarded. Where either the applicant or the applicant’s partner (if applicable) are not engaged in work or study (and do not qualify under other enhanced hours criteria), a “standard hours subsidy” of up to 20 hours per week may be awarded.

The definition of work is extremely broad, covering all forms of work arrangement, including apprenticeships. The study rule is also a generous one and allows parents to access 45 hours of childcare when completing any NFQ qualification, from level 1, for even a small number of hours per week.