Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will examine the way to make the large number of unused childcare facilities built as part of housing developments viable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29188/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The use of buildings is a matter for building owners, subject to whatever planning conditions may be applied by planning authorities.

I recently announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare. 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 building, depending on requirements. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the National Development Plan. The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government.

Some of the buildings acquired by the State-led early learning and childcare capital programme are likely to include buildings which have been developed as part of large scale housing developments.

Beyond the capital programme, the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Childcare Facilities support local authorities in planning matters related to early learning and childcare buildings, including in certain instances requiring the development of buildings as part of large scale housing developments.

While this has delivered a substantial amount of early learning and childcare infrastructure, there are challenges in implementing the guidelines and in some cases, buildings which have been required to be delivered remain vacant. There are many potential reasons for this. The price for the building sought by the developer may be too high for operators. Facilities tend to also require capital investment to fit out the building for use as a service. There may be instances where the design of the building is not conducive to its optimal use as an early learning and childcare service. There are some instances where the developer has sought permission for a change of use.

The Programme for Government commits to reviewing the 2001 Planning Guidelines. The 2024 Planning and Development Act, the new National Planning Framework and the ongoing work in the Department on Shaping the Future, the Action Plan for the development of the early learning and childcare sector all provide important context for considering what any future policy should reflect in this respect.

I can also advise that the Department of Children, Equality and Disability has been notified by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage that it is to be included as a prescribed body in relation to planning applications which may be expected to generate significant additional demand for early learning and childcare.