Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

143. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on the progress her Department has made in updating the National Childcare Scheme website to include historical fees of providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28592/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would like to thank the Deputy for this question, and I welcome the opportunity to confirm that the National Childcare Scheme website was updated on 1 February 2026 to include historical fees lists for service providers.

As noted in PQ 61745/25, historical fee data is available on the National Childcare Scheme’s Childcare Service Search for fees from the 2021/2022 programme year to the present programme year (2025/2026).

The portal hosting this information was originally designed to contain information for the current programme year only. The update introduced in late 2025 expanded its scope, allowing the Department to deliver on its commitment to ensure information regarding fees charged to parents is transparent, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government. Therefore, this welcome development ensures improved transparency in relation to early learning and childcare fees across the country.

I would like to also highlight that, in addition to services fees list - historical and current - the following information is also readily available on the portal:

• contact details for early learning and childcare services,
• whether these services are private, community or childminding services,
• the services calendar, which provide details of services operating hours per week and operating weeks per year, and
• whether the services offer the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme, the National Childcare Scheme and is taking part in the Core Funding scheme.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

144. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress made on 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"; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29050/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Childcare Facilities were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. These guidelines, which remain in operation, are intended to ensure a consistent approach to the treatment of planning applications in respect to the land use planning aspects of early learning and childcare provision.

The Programme for Government commits to reviewing the guidelines to ensure early learning and childcare spaces are provided and put into use. The Planning and Development Act 2024 and the revised National Planning Framework, along with the ongoing work on Shaping the Future, the Phase 2 action plan for the development of the early learning and childcare sector, provide a strong basis from which to pursue this work.

In order to progress the Programme for Government commitment, an Early Learning and Childcare Planning Matters Working Group was established in 2024 and has met a number of times since then. It includes officials from the Department; the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage; and the Department of Education and Youth.

Members of the Group have also met with local authority planning officials, nominated by the County and City Management Association Planning and Land Use Committee to identify important considerations for the review. These considerations include ensuring that buildings developed on foot of the guidelines meet the needs of the local population and are fit for purpose; and balancing the need to ensure sufficient provision for children and families, regardless of the size or housing type of the development, with ensuring that buildings are effectively operated as intended.

These issues will inform a wider engagement with local authorities and other stakeholders which is currently at planning stage.

Separately, the Department has being liaising with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the planning process as set out in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. I can advise that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has confirmed that the Minister for Children, Equality and Disability will be designated as a prescribed body to be notified by local authorities of planning applications that might give rise to a change in the demand for early learning and childcare provision.

I will continue to engage with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss how best to support the implementation of the existing guidelines and inform the drafting of revised guidance under the new Planning and Development Act 2024.