Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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163. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the review of the 2001 planning guidelines for local authorities on early learning and childcare settings, in order to increase childcare supply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29074/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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164. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which the feedback received under the 'Let’s Talk Early Years' initiative will directly influence the phase 2 actions of the Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan to ensure a tangible increase in childcare places and a reduction in parental fees to the promised €200 monthly maximum by 2027 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29092/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the National Conversation on Education: the First 5 years and School-Age Childcare, the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality (DCDE) is undertaking a public consultation process on the future of early learning and care and school-age childcare (including childminders). The consultation process has a number of channels which allow for the participation of a wide range of stakeholders:

• A national online survey on ELC and SAC (now closed) which received over 11,000 responses.
• A survey of a nationally representative sample of parents. This is a telephone poll of a representative sample of 500 households with children under 14 which asks parents about their experiences and perspectives on early learning and childcare.
• An art engagement exercise with children.
• Approximately 50 local consultation events that are taking place between 20-30 April, organised with the City and County Childcare Committees. At least one event is taking place per county.
• A national consultation event that will take place in June: The Shaping the Future National Forum: Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare (details of which will be released soon).

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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165. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to increase the provision of Irish-medium early years services in south Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29217/26]

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 2024/25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021/22 programme year. Enrolments in Kildare during this time increased by 26%.

Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25 indicates that, nationally, 4% of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services are wholly Irish-medium, while 3% are mixed settings where part of the service is Irish-medium part is English-medium. These figures have remained consistent since 2022/23.

The Department is working in collaboration with other relevant Departments and Agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. The development of such a plan is a commitment in the 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language.

The national plan is expected to support the delivery of two commitments in First 5 (the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families): “Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision” and “Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish”.

The plan is also expected to support the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government to: “Support naíonraí and creches to ensure early education access in Gaeltacht communities and beyond” and “Plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish-medium naíonraí”.

A survey of Irish-medium ELC and SAC settings including childminders was undertaken in 2022-2023 to obtain a baseline of the current level of Irish-medium provision in the sector, to inform the development of the national plan. A public consultation and a programme of research, including a literature review, took place in 2024. A consultation with children has also recently been completed. It is expected the plan will be launched in the coming months.