2026-02-19

96. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider whether Laois will be given one of the first directly State-led, publicly-owned childcare facilities she announced on 21 January 2026 as Laois is one of the fastest growing counties in terms of population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13846/26]

I ask the Minister to give full consideration for Laois to be given one of the first directly State-led, publicly owned childcare facilities. I say that in welcoming the new scheme that was announced on 21 January. Laois is one of the fastest growing counties in terms of population outside of Dublin, and there is real pressure on childcare places.

I appreciate the Deputy raising this. It is an issue of huge interest right across the country, including in his constituency. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority for the Government. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the annual early years sector profile shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by 25% over the past three years. That is quite a significant increase. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children. That is the real issue, that there are certain areas across the country where there is a dearth of provision. I recently announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare, which I know is the Deputy's key issue. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this Government - never before done by Government, actually. Capital funding will be used to acquire and fit out buildings. This is a case of "and-or", in fact, because in some instances it might just be the fit-out of the building, depending on requirements. There will be a particular focus in the new State-led facilities on providing places for children between one and three years old, because this is where the need is greatest, with scope for these children to progress in the service until they start school. The aim of delivering additional supply of this type in suitable locations will include both rural and urban areas that are presently not well served. Additional supply in areas of disadvantage is another priority because early learning can have positive impacts on children at risk of disadvantage. Another factor to consider is the need to rebalance supply in some areas where there is a high concentration of private supply but very low levels of community childcare. A suite of appraisal tools has been developed, including a forward planning model, in order to select projects that align with these objectives. Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year and the State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided for in the national development plan.

As outlined, there is a chronic shortage of spaces in the county, including for one- to three-year-olds. We have the private model, but we are over-reliant on that. It has weaknesses in the context of having to have separate leases or ownership of buildings, separate insurance, separate administration and payrolls, etc. While many are providing a good service, there are weaknesses. There are also shortages. There are no all-day spaces in Stradbally or Mountrath, and there are shortages in larger towns like Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Portarlington and Graigue and smaller towns like Rathdowney, Mountrath, Durrow, Abbeyleix and Stradbally. Some of what becomes available is unaffordable. I received a letter this week from one couple who live near to me, who said they were offered a space for €1,430 per month in one provider that is hundreds of yards from my house. The crèche wanted a €450 deposit within 48 hours, which they were not able to come up with. They lost the place, and that woman could not go back to work. That shows the pressure on just the market-led ones. We need that Government scheme. We have the fastest growing population. I know the Minister has announced the purchase of eight or nine buildings. Everyone will be looking for them, but Laois has a strong case.

I appreciate the case the Deputy makes. The purpose here is, in the first instance, to acknowledge that there is excellent provision by private providers and community providers. Notwithstanding that, there are still areas where there is an absence of provision. The purpose of the State-led services is to complement what is already there and to step in proactively where there is not provision. I hear the case the Deputy makes for his constituency. There is a capital steering group in place in the Department. The Department is assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services. The emphasis for 2026 is on the purchase of buildings but we also have provision for some instances where we will build. However, in 2026, the emphasis will be on purchasing or fitting out a building. All areas will be considered. Eight is eight, but we will be hoping to grow that in the coming years.

According to the childcare committee in the county, Portlaoise needs four full-day facilities. Portarlington needs one, as do Mountmellick, Mountrath, Graiguecullen, Rathdowney, Abbeyleix, Durrow and the Cullahill area. The pilot of eight to nine is obviously welcome. It is a small start. We could put all eight or nine in Laois, but I urge the Minister to put at least one or two there. The current model is not able to match the growth in population in the county. We are behind other European states that have private provision. As the Minister said, a lot of those providers are going good work - I would not take from that - but other European states also have strong state-led childcare systems. We do not have that in this country. The Minister is right in that this is a groundbreaking initiative, which I certainly welcome and will fully support. However, it costs €1,430 per month to mind a child. The wages in our area do not come up high enough for people to pay that sort of money. That woman has no childcare facilities now to allow her to return to work. The couple are in rented accommodation as well and we know the pressures that brings. Rents are sky high in the area. It is a huge issue, and I ask that the Minister's officials look around County Laois and contact the local county council and estate agents to see if a property can be secured for it.

I thank the Deputy. As for how we are progressing, the first port of call is the local childcare committee, and we ask people to engage there. It can then engage further with the Department. I do not at all take away from the case the Deputy is making. We are very conscious of the costs of childcare. The premise of core funding is where fees were frozen. In return for that, operators were given core funding. The national childcare scheme is supporting parents by providing reduced costs but, again, more work needs to be done. The Deputy knows we have a target of €250 per week to be achieved by the end of this Government term. We are working on that. We have increased core funding year on year. The national childcare scheme is available to parents. We also introduced fee caps last year and we will be doing likewise this year. We are working towards the €250 per week.