Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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177. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the process by which a childcare facility would apply to be acquired by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6771/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I recently announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings to provide State-led high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on specific project requirements.

The capital programme will deliver additional supply of high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare to improve the supply of places, particularly for younger children and in disadvantaged/rural areas, and in line with public management policy goals.

It has the following objectives:

Objective 1: Deliver additional publicly subsidised supply for Early Learning and Care where required, with a focus on places for 1- to 3-year-olds and sufficient places for children to age up in the same service.

Objective 2: Deliver additional supply where required in areas of disadvantage and rural areas.

Objective 3: Ensure all supply delivered is inclusive and high quality.

Objective 4: Deliver supply in appropriate locations, taking account of accessibility for parents, links with other relevant services/amenities, appropriate land-use, and spatial planning goals.

Objective 5: Ensure cost-effectiveness and timeliness of delivery.

Objective 6: Support improved public management of the ELC sector as a whole.

This Department is assessing sites and buildings which align with the goals of the programme and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.

Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects so in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee, whose details can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/.