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longer a gap in planning. It is a failure of prioritisation. Dublin Fingal West has one of the highest concentrations of private childcare provision in the country, yet one of the lowest of community childcare provision. That imbalance has not happened by accident. It is the result … Lusk, thousands of houses have been built and young families and couples have moved in, yet the essential public infrastructure that is community childcare that should accompany that growth has not kept pace with the development. I receive constant emails from parents in my constituency who cannot easily

came time for my daughter to return to work after her maternity leave, that joy turned to stress as she tried to finalise childcare. The end result is that myself and the other granny have been minding our grandchild for well over a year now. This … want to stay at home with my baby until she is one but I cannot afford to because I cannot find affordable childcare that will make it worth my while to go back to work. It is soul-destroying while still being pregnant to focus so much

offering her the opportunity to respond. I will deliver her response to the Deputy. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the annual early years sector profile shows that … last three years. I believe that Fingal increased by 20% in the same period. The reality is that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children. A forward planning model is in development which will

assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver State-led services. Local city and county childcare committees will be supporting the development of these projects in the first instance. Community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers or others … might have some suitable premises, projects or sites should, therefore, first contact their local city and county childcare committee. I would encourage the Deputy to put the owners of those sites in touch with his own contacts locally. Separately, following on from the success of the building blocks

thank the Deputy for raising an issue that is very close to her heart and for which she is advocating strongly. The €200 childcare cost is a programme for Government commitment. We will progressively implement that. The next budget will be important in that regard, in addition … what has been achieved already. We accept that childcare remains a very significant cost for many families and affects participation in the workplace, the proper care of their children and identifying the developmental needs of their children. Through the national childcare scheme, about 270,000 children will

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 … 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

buildings. That would certainly help in my constituency. I would also like to address the Government's commitments to reducing childcare costs to €200 a month over the term of the Dáil. That is obviously welcome. However, we must be very clear about the language we use here … When we talk about cheaper childcare, we reduce this sector to a bargain bin service. It starts sounding like a Ryanair advertisement where the lowest fare wins. That cannot be what early childhood education and care becomes. Affordability does matter - of course it does - but quality must

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 … 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

matter of urgency. The Taoiseach mentioned the workforce. Women tell me they are forced to family-plan on the basis of our high childcare costs and low availability. That is not good for them or for society as a whole. We want to keep women in our workplaces … need to make that workforce as accessible for them as possible. We need to ensure that childcare is not a barrier to them returning to the workforce after maternity leave. The Taoiseach also mentioned the increase in the national childcare subsidy. In Meath West, it increased

recognise that progress has been made in the last 12 months in relation to the cost of childcare, with the expansion of the national childcare scheme subsidies, improvements to core funding and a lowering of the maximum cap on fees. This has brought weekly costs for childcare … rates. Many of my constituents in Meath West have told me that there has been good progress in the downward trajectory of their childcare bills. About 15% more families availed of subsidies in Meath last year, so the changes are working but we still have a significant

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 … 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

both young and fast growing. We know that through our own work not only on school capacity and the likes but also on childcare capacity. While I fully accept that childcare costs are too high, and we all have a similar view on the direction of travel that … needs to take place on reducing childcare costs, one of the big issues we face in Greystones, Delgany, Bray and right across County Wicklow is access to places. I was pleased that the Minister, Deputy Foley, announced a fund to start intervening directly. I believe we must

Government's failure. We have return-to-work mandates being imposed on workers, no questions asked and no quarters given. This is creating childcare chaos and very real financial worries for families. Hours are being spent in traffic and people are dealing with unreliable and stretched … find ourselves commuting sometimes a four hour round trip if traffic is bad, increased travel costs, parking, tolls, diesel, car maintenance, additional childcare costs, not to mention quality time lost to the commute. And all for what? To say we clocked in to the office. That

sector will receive about €1.5 billion this year, but demand will grow. We also have to keep an eye on the quality of childcare that is provided as much as on capacity. That is why investment in the workforce is important. A total of €45 million has been … another wage order on top of the €45 million that was provided for last year. We are making incremental progress on pay for childcare workers. An online consultation on the early years action plan is under way, alongside local and national consultation events, ensuring that reform is shaped

longer the case. There are tens of thousands of workers living in poverty because of the cost of living, including the cost of childcare, housing, electricity and insurance for cars and so on. He cites statistics to show the economy is doing well but we all know … wage, benchmarking social welfare increases to the minimum standard of living index and introducing a weekly cost-of-disability payment. A reduction in childcare costs to €200 per month, as promised in the election but since studiously forgotten, would make such a change in so many workers' lives

hotel room. My kids ask me every day when we will have a home again. I don't have an answer. Another stated: Childcare is impossible. I want to work, but how can I when I can't afford it and there's no support? It feels like … particular who are unable to do anything about their lower incomes and who are locked out of work due to the cost of childcare and locked out of the property market on foot of house prices that the Government is keen to continue to allow to rise

Neville - To discuss the completion of emergency works at St. Patrick's Primary School in Celbridge. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss community childcare facilities in Dublin Fingal West. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the review of the Garda vetting process and planned measures for simplification. Deputy Pádraig … Sullivan - To discuss the capacity of childcare provision in Cork North-Central. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss the need for neurodiversity early intervention classes in primary schools in Waterford. The matters raised by Deputies Joe Neville, Shane Moynihan and Robert O'Donoghue have been selected for discussion

Ardagh - To discuss funding for the Ballyfermot Youth Service and the adventure centre and skatepark project, Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss community childcare facilities in Fingal West. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí - To discuss the importance of eating disorder services during eating disorder awareness week. Deputy Joanna Byrne … POWs from a British penal colony in Western Australia on 17 April 1876. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the capacity of childcare provision in Cork North-Central. Deputy James O'Connor - To discuss the return of the Midleton-Youghal rail corridor. Deputy Matt Carthy - To discuss delivery

early years services and childminders have been receiving rates payable notifications from their local authorities. Given the importance of early learning and childcare for children, families and communities across the country, I am giving this matter my full attention. I have met with my Cabinet colleague, the Minister … with an update once the Department has clarity on this matter. It should be noted that commercial rates payments for early learning and childcare providers, including childminders, do not fall, as the Deputy will appreciate, within the remit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The Department

doing all we can to support childminders, particularly to come into the registration process. There are dedicated individuals in every city and county childcare committee specifically designated to work with childminders. We want them to be part to the process and to have every opportunity to benefit from … currently a pilot with childminders in receipt of core funding by a grant or whatever, and a consultation process as regards the wider childcare elements. Through that, there is a lot of engagement with childminders. I would be very happy to engage with them as well through that

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 … Dublin, and there is real pressure on childcare places

thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for the engagement he had with the childcare sector this week. This is certainly something we intend to examine as a Government. We all know in this House that there is huge demand for childcare places. We need to support

benefits of remote work to parents in employment is massive. Many parents living in rural Ireland face larger gaps in the provision of childcare and have to undertake longer commutes to accommodate work and childcare. The reduction in hours spent commuting benefits rural workers who can often live

recognition of the town of Ballaghaderreen and what had been done. A fund was announced that would see the development of a childcare facility in the town. At least that was something in terms of acknowledging what the people of Ballaghaderreen had done. That funding from the Department … came together and it was found through the community recognition fund at the very last minute. We are still awaiting the childcare facility but I am very glad to say it will open in the coming weeks. The funding was put in place by the Department of justice

content with those sustainable increases, as the Government referred to them. The Minister of State also did not address the unaffordable cost of childcare because, again, that is one of those things those in government say when they are running for election. The Minister of State, Deputy Dillon … October-November 2024 without reminding people of their commitment to introduce within 100 days of government a plan for €200 per week childcare. What happened to that? Again, all the pre-election promises are gone like snow off a ditch because they are in now and they

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will provide not for profit community childcare facilities, on publicly owned land, given private operators are providing these services at huge cost to parents on mixed tenure social affordable developments especially in Fingal which … worst areas in the country for the provision of not for profit childcare facilities, with 5% of childcare not for profit while the county average is 25%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9691/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her Department's position regarding deposits paid to childcare facilities for places; if it is intended to regulate the practice given the widespread use; and given the difference in amounts charged the way in which refunds … obtained in the case that the childcare place is not used by the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14255/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address the growing crisis of 'childcare deserts', and the 40,000-long waiting list for children under three; if she will commit to a definitive date for introducing pay parity between early years … graduates and primary school teachers to stem the exodus of qualified staff, which is currently preventing the opening of 17,000 unused childcare places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13309/26

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the national childcare scheme; if she will consider options to cap costs for larger families, as per the Programme for Government

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has plans to introduce new rules to regulate non-refundable childcare deposits, given that they can be substantial, particularly for families who join multiple waiting lists in order to secure a childcare place

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether existing childcare services will be acquired by the State through The State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11783/26

Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has examined the role of remote working in supporting parents with childcare responsibilities; whether this will inform future childcare policy or workforce participation strategies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12040/26

increased availability of crèche places, particularly for children under one year of age; if this will include greater flexibility within the national childcare scheme, including consideration of regulated childminders, and immediate short-term supports for parents who are unable to return to work due to the childcare crisis

ensure that any disregards, means testing and income thresholds for secondary benefits including back- to-school clothing and footwear allowance, and national childcare scheme, are automatically raised in line with any core social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15655/26

consider establishing a community welfare office in Ballymote, County Sligo, to ensure local access to supports for those without transport, financial means, or childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15291/26

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to correspondence regarding the matter, will she commit to visiting childcare facilities in Donegal affected by defective concrete blocks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15674/26

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to address the shortage of childcare places in Carlow. [15956/26

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to address the shortage of childcare places in Kilkenny. [15957/26

regulations; whether she will consider postponing these regulations to ensure that a framework is developed which protects both childminders and the availability of childcare places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15319/26

assessment which has been carried out on the impact of these regulations on the retention of experienced childminders and the availability of childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15320/26

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare facilities registered in County Monaghan; the total number of children that can be cared for within those facilities; and the corresponding numbers for February

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare facilities registered in County Cavan; the total number of children that can be cared for within those facilities; and the corresponding numbers for February

been conducted on the educational and emotional consequences of SNA reductions; the way "reasonable distance" is defined when existing commute times and childcare responsibilities are considered; the reason SNA vacancies no longer being consistently advertised publicly; if she will commit to reviewing the redeployment policy to ensure

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of ECCE-only childcare services that are considered exempt and not exempt from paying commercial rates in 2025 and 2026, as per paragraph 10, schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001. [14240/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of ECCE-only childcare services that have received commercial rates bills in 2025 and 2026. [14241/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sessional childcare services that are considered exempt and not exempt from paying commercial rates, as per paragraph 10, schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001. [14242/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sessional childcare services that have received commercial rates bills in 2025 and 2026. [14243/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his definition of ECCE, sessional and part-time childcare services; and how commercial rates are applied to each of them. [14244/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of part-time childcare services that are considered exempt and not exempt from paying commercial rates, as per paragraph 10, schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001. [14245/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of part-time childcare services that have received commercial rates bills in 2025 and 2026. [14246/26