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news that families with young children require childcare and early years education. Why, then, are these families continuously failed by the State in the provision of those services? In Dublin Rathdown, I am contacted regularly about childcare and early years education. Indeed, it is one of the foremost … closures. Costs are too high for parents and providers in the sector are in real difficulty. Young families are desperately struggling to find childcare for their children. I have been contacted by so many parents who are at their wits' end with this. Last week, a mother contacted

experience. It is inspiring for others who may follow in her footsteps that the Deputy has done so. The challenge of providing accessible childcare is very much real. The Deputy outlined the issues many of her constituents face. Many of my constituents, and some of my friends … same boat, having to put down the names of children who are not yet born or named for childcare places. This is not ideal and the Government is committed to addressing it. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. That is a fact. Data from the annual early

some services to open and for some services to close. The year 2024 saw a five-year high in the number of childcare services opening and a five-year low in the number of early learning and childcare services closing. A total of 357 services opened, while … services closed, which resulted in a net increase of 226 childcare services opening in 2024. There have been year-on-year increases in the number of childcare services opening since registration of school-age childcare began in 2019. The register and related data are updated monthly by Tusla

keeping pace with the needs of families across the country, including in my constituency of Dublin Rathdown. We have seen tweaks in the childcare system, with attempts to address one shortfall here opening up another elsewhere. It is not working. We need radical reform. My colleague Deputy Farrelly … proposal, páistecare, is a plan for childcare that is like what Sláintecare was supposed to be for the healthcare system. It is a transformational approach that will supersede shifts and changes of policy and approach under successive governments. It will lock in cross-party support to transform childcare

acknowledge the Deputy's question which specifically asks about after-school and general childcare places. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing, which is an important point to make at the outset. The estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 19% between 2022 and 2024. Enrolments in Cork … data shows between years one and three of the scheme, annual place hours increased by more than 15%. The growth in school age childcare plans has been particularly strong. Data from Tusla shows there was an increase of 34 services on the school-age register in Cork alone

work they are doing on this issue. The Government is committed to building an affordable, high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare system. I will take her recommendation for a cross-party committee to the Minister, Deputy Foley. The programme for Government commits, for the first time … ever, to provide capital investment to build or purchase State-owned early learning and childcare facilities. This will create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. That is the trajectory we are on and we are very clear about it. State ownership of facilities is a very

freeze will remain in place for all partner services with fees below these caps. This is an important step towards the reduction of childcare fees to €200 per month over the lifetime of this Government. Maximum fee caps were introduced for new services last year, and this September … fees will be no more than €295 per week for a full day of 40 to 50 hours per week. Once the national childcare scheme subsidy is taken into account, the maximum fee for a parent in this situation will be less than €200 per week. This latest

freeze will remain in place for all partner services with fees below these caps. This is an important step towards the reduction of childcare fees to €200 per month over the lifetime of this Government. Maximum fee caps were introduced for new services last year, and this September … will be no more than €295 per week for a full-day place of 40 to 50 hours per week. Once the national childcare scheme subsidy is taken into account, the maximum fee for a parent in this situation will be less than €200 per week. This latest

live in Dún Laoghaire, where the cost of property and rent is much higher, is the Department doing anything to specifically safeguard urban childcare environments where the living costs for people working in those centres might be higher? We know teachers are leaving the education sector because they … cannot live in Dublin and are going elsewhere. The same is true of childcare facilities. Is the Minister aware of childcare facilities that are closing? Is her Department doing any analysis of why that might be? Are steps being taken to safeguard the facilities against this happening? Appreciating

very much welcome the work that has been done to date. As I stated, I hope we deliver the reduction in childcare of the lifetime of this Government, as it is essential. I also highlighted with the Minister that it is not just the cost that … issue for many parents who are trying to access childcare; it is also the access to childcare. As she is aware, I live in the youngest area in the country. Many parents like myself in Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk simply do not have access to the childcare

programme for Government commits, for the very first time, to providing capital investment to build or purchase State-owned childcare facilities to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. I attended the launch of a childcare needs analysis in Boyle, County Roscommon, last Friday. Their analysis … concludes that, in the Boyle catchment area, there are 20 childcare places per 1,043 children. A figure of 77% of children aged zero to four years have no access to a childcare place. For me, this is the definition of "unmet need". I understand some scoping work

Having spoken to several childcare providers, the main concern for the viability of the sector is staff retention. I am not surprised, given the information I have received. I understand an SNA can be applied to a primary school having completed a 12-week certificate course, while … childcare educator must have a minimum FETAC level 5 qualification, which is a one to two year process. A childcare educator is paid an average of €4 per hour with less work, more hours and lower holiday entitlements. It is no wonder the staff in this sector feel

What is critical, along with the building of homes, is that we build the social infrastructure to go with them. That means schools, childcare and playgrounds, as well as the water and energy we often speak of in here. It is primarily around the building up of sustainable … communities. I look at Kildare North specifically. The waiting lists for childcare in Kildare are astronomical. People are number 400 or number 500 on childcare waiting lists and women cannot plan on going back to work after maternity leave because they cannot secure childcare. It is not sustainable

cost-of-living crisis. People are struggling to put or keep a roof over their heads. People are struggling with the cost of childcare. The Government promised that, within its first 100 days, it would provide a roadmap for delivering €10-a-day childcare, which is another promise … groceries at the end of the week. Does the Minister not listen to the families who are crippled with a second mortgage in childcare costs or are screwed over by petrol and diesel prices and the carbon taxes that increase every year and which the Government plans

mentioned sufficient places. That has to be the dual threat that comes with this. Can we put in place a policy to ensure childcare facilities are not closing down? A service in the Presbyterian church on York Road in Dún Laoghaire closed without explanation recently, which has caused … involved. I live in Honeypark in Dún Laoghaire, an area with a lot of young families. I note a site earmarked for a childcare facility has now been advertised for sale in the commercial property pages of The Irish Times. Are we ensuring there will be sufficient places

would look like. Issues have been raised about the commitment in the planning guidelines to have places available for populations of 75 houses. Childcare facilities have been built which are not being used as childcare facilities. I am working with the Minister for housing to ensure there will … facility is built it needs to be used for the purpose for which it was built, in this instance for the provision of childcare. Significant work has been done to support smaller providers. Previously the lower base of funding they had was a guaranteed €8,500. The base

keeping up. They are hit from all angles, whether extortionate rents, massive energy bills, the high cost of petrol and diesel or unaffordable childcare. The one thing that is putting households under most pressure at this time is the cost of food. Some 91% of respondents told … things. Lorraine told us: As two university graduates with 4 children, we struggle every week. Only one parent can work full time as childcare is too expensive. We are trying to manage 6 people on 1 salary. Our grocery bill has skyrocketed. We try to save

access HRT see that it has been made free in the last number of weeks. Student grant payments will increase from September and childcare costs have fallen this year. When the Government came into office, we decided to extend the reduced VAT rate on gas electricity for exactly … people in the budget with the cost of living, absolutely. Read our programme for Government and read what we want to do on childcare and for small businesses. Read what we intend to do for carers and how we intend to support farmers. Expect to see progress

name of the Member in each case: Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss the closure of a montessori in Stepaside and general lack of childcare availability in Dublin Rathdown. Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss the use of Louth County Hospital in Dundalk as a surgical hub for the north … Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss funding of Cluain training and enterprise centre in Clonmel, County Tipperary. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the national childcare scheme for children with disabilities. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss implementation of legislative timelines for assessing and reimbursing medicines applied for by pharmaceutical

acknowledge that many early learning and childcare services report recruitment and retention challenges. In general, these challenges are not caused by insufficient supply of staff, but by high levels of turnover. Data from the sector profile survey shows a turnover rate of 24.5% in 2023, with almost … funding available. My officials also continue to discuss issues of recruitment and retention with stakeholders through a subgroup of the early learning and childcare stakeholder forum. While the general consensus of the group is that pay is the single biggest issue, the group continues to identify other actions

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of new childcare providers who have entered the sector in each of the past five years; the number of childcare providers who have left the sector in each of the past five years

issue that always arises during my weekly clinics in County Clare is the lack of childcare places. This is such an enormous stress for almost all working parents. An adequate level of such facilities is important from an educational perspective, but also as critical enablers for parents … join the workforce. Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the number of childcare providers that have entered and left the sector over the last five years

system without any extra facilities, highlighted by this direct quote from the manager of one facility: Allocation of a blanket of 45 hours childcare per week to a family without full consideration of their circumstances is completely clogging up the system. I regularly see 45 hours allocated … hours are allocated were re-examined. I suggest the Minister examine this process to see if an amendment would deliver taking extra childcare spaces in the short term

area that has seen considerable building of houses in recent years with more homes currently under construction and strong demand for childcare nearby. Another mum was in contact with me who said she had signed up with nine different facilities, chasing after school services around Ballincollig, Cross Barry … available. She wants to work full-time which is a real challenge for her due to the lack of after-school childcare. There is a similar situation for a mum in Millstreet working in the Cork area. Are there recognised black spots and particular measures which could

Ireland's best asset is our hard-working men and women. It is crucial that we fund childcare as an essential infrastructure. I know this is something we have talked about many times before. The Minister might give us an update on what she has done to reduce … cost of childcare to €200 per month and what she plans to do to make sure we achieve it over the lifetime of the Government

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider greater flexibility for Building Blocks, the only financial support available for childcare facilities, where there is an opportunity for a community to buy an existing premises (not new), therefore bringing life back to a closed building … usually in the heart of a town which is an ideal location for a childcare facility, and ensuring a quicker turnaround for the establishment of a much-needed childcare facility, especially where there is severe need (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter

early learning and care services for children under six years of age in Carlow and Kilkenny; if she is aware that the Kilkenny childcare committee have confirmed that currently there are no available childcare places for families seeking full day care; if she will consider funding community childcare

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the 2001 Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Childcare Facilities in order to address gaps in the guidelines which are leaving communities without adequate access to childcare; his views on the effectiveness … current benchmark of 20 childcare places per 75 dwellings; if he has engaged with the Minister for Children, Disability Equality in relation to a review of the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30386/25

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the shortage of childcare facilities available in Carrigaline in Cork; to provide an update on the predicated opening of a new childcare service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on an audit on the number of childcare facilities per local authority that have undergone a change of use from childcare to housing, retail, community infrastructure or any other purpose; if she will share

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department can amend its contracts with childcare providers to include a restriction on the practice of some providers offering childcare places but requiring non-refundable deposits if the place is not taken

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of new childcare providers who have entered the sector in each of the past five years; the number of childcare providers who have left the sector in each of the past five years

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress made in expanding access to childcare, on foot of the finding in research commissioned by her Department, which shows almost two out of every three respondents faced a restriction on hours of work or study … childcare challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32102/25

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she is taking to expand capacity in the childcare sector, particularly in rural areas; the actions she intends to take to address long waiting lists for childcare facilities; and if she will make

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has plans to expand the childcare capital grant for the development of new childcare facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32305/25

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her engagement with local authorities regarding a review of the 2001 childcare facilities for planning authorities to ensure childcare spaces are provided and put into use; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the full-year cost via the national childcare scheme to reduce childcare fees to €200 per month. [31085/25

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if each of the developments being progressed by the Land Development Agency include the provision of childcare facilities; if the Land Development Agency has engaged with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality with regard to the delivery of childcare facilities

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the Government's plans to further reduce the cost of childcare for families under the national childcare scheme; the timelines in place for the implementation of any additional cost-reduction measures; and the specific steps

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for a breakdown of the number of new childcare providers who have entered the sector in each of the past five years, by county; the number of childcare providers who have left the sector in each

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the annual budget for the national childcare scheme in each year since it was introduced, in tabular form; the number of childcare providers in receipt of NCS funding in each of these years; the number of children

engagement she has had with the with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to a review of the 2001 childcare facilities for planning authorities to ensure childcare spaces are provided and put into use; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of Early Learning and Childcare and School Age Childcare closures, by county in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30383/25

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of community childcare facilities who have entered the sector in each of the past five years, by county; and the number of community childcare providers who have left the sector in each of the past

Department's engagement with the planning and building unit of the Department of Education and Youth, regarding the development of State-led childcare facilities in tandem with the school building programme; the number of meetings that have taken place; the dates when these meetings took place; the main

inception meeting held on 9 June 2025 concerning the review of the 2001 planning guidelines for local authorities on early learning and childcare settings; to summarise the key findings discussed; to outline when the next meeting is scheduled; and if she will make a statement on the matter

supplied); if the practice is permissible under the core funding agreement; and if she will make a statement on the need to transition childcare to being universally provided and accessible. [33736/25

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that communities seeking to establish new childcare facilities are precluded from accessing Building Blocks, the only financial support available, as they are not an existing service; if she will rectify this to ensure

Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of complaints received by HIQA relating to residential public and private childcare settings in 2020 to date in 2025, by county, in tabular form. [34447/25

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of families on enhanced childcare subsidies that were negatively affected by the fee adjustment process in 2024 and are now paying higher fees than they were in August 2024. [33277/25