James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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156. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department is progressing a plan to provide State-run childcare. [29154/26]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on progress in relation to the State's acquisition of childcare facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28461/26]

Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of and the timelines for when the first State-led childcare services will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29112/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 180 and 198 together.

In January, I announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the buildings, depending on requirements.

The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government. The initial approach is on purchasing and refurbishment of buildings given that this is a faster route to delivery in the short term. However, the option of building new facilities will also be considered over subsequent years.

The Department is assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.

Up to eight capital projects will be selected under the programme in 2026. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects, but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.

The Department has received project proposals from a number of sources since the programme was launched which, along with projects which the Department was aware of prior to the programme launching, includes 82 potential projects across the country to date.

These projects are in very different stages of development. Some relate to existing buildings ready to occupy or fit out, while others are longer-term prospects for future years.

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/