Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

201. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if priority will be given to sites with plenty of open space for the purchase of premises for State-led early years facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29218/26]

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

€135 million will be made available between 2026 and 2030 for the State-led Early Learning and Childcare capital programme, providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare.

The process will begin this year with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements. The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design, open and operate services.

Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the National Development Plan.

To assess potential sites, a forward planning model has been developed within the Department. The model seeks to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level. An extensive data analysis and cleaning exercise has been undertaken to map available publicly-subsidised supply.

As well as the forward planning model, a suite of appraisal criteria and tools have been developed in order to assess the potential alignment of projects with Departmental goals of promoting quality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability.

A key objective of the capital programme is to ensure all supply delivered is inclusive and high quality. The Universal Design Guidelines for Early Learning and Care Settings provide comprehensive recommendations and guidance as to how to create high quality and inclusive outdoor areas for children attending Early Learning and Childcare services. These Guidelines will be used in both the selection and development of all projects within the capital programme.

The Department is now assessing project options in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme. 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.

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/