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notified by local authorities of a planning application that might give rise to a change in the demand for early learning and childcare provision. For example, I think we are all very aware that where permission has been granted for a childcare facility for whatever reason, a further … make our observations and make our case that this really should not be allowed. If it is designated as an early years and childcare facility, it should serve the community. That is what it is there for. This will be really helpful and I am appreciative

parties were falling over themselves, as we know, including the Minister’s, promising parents €200 a month childcare. The latest Fianna Fáil meeting was talking about €786 per month, possibly, later on this year, so it will be like €200 a week will be nearer the mark. However … real problem we have is childcare provision. The private childcare model is simply not working for parents. With so many more providers falling out of the sector, we need a public model

example, we made the announcement recently in terms of the maximum fee caps. For the vast majority of people who are availing of childcare services of less than 50 hours, and this is the cohort paying the highest fees, that payment will reduce to €183 per week … than €200 a month, or €50 a week. We have also increased the thresholds to gain the maximum in terms of the national childcare subsidy. We are on the journey. We said it would be committed to and delivered over the lifetime of the Government in terms

right across the country. They were on the ground, as it were. I want to acknowledge the work of the City and County Childcare Committees in that respect. There was also, very importantly, an engagement with children. It was done in art form but it was important that … caps required for core funding have been key to the progress in recent years in making early learning and care and school-age childcare services more affordable. The 2026 actions on affordability will include further reductions in some of the highest fees paid by parents by lowering

objective of the national action plan is to enable parents who use childminders to also benefit from State subsidies through the national childcare scheme. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the national childcare scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered childminders are eligible

only reason the birth rate is falling; the cost-of-living crisis, the housing crisis and the cost of childcare are all pushing down the birth rate, but you cannot have 10,852 abortions annually without impacting on the birth rate of a country. In 2009, there were … collapse in the birth rate. The really shocking thing is that the lack of housing, the cost of living and the cost of childcare are not more to the fore in Sinn Féin's approach to this Dáil. Dozens of women gave birth last year while homeless. Thousands

Government produced. It is indefensible. A great deal needs to be done to address these issues. Other measures that are needed include affordable childcare, another matter in respect of which the Government broke all its promises. During the election campaign, Simon Harris promised that within 100 days … Government being formed, there would be a proper roadmap in place for affordable childcare in order to get the cost down to €200 a month. Of course, that was not produced. In the budget, there were no measures to reduce the cost of childcare for families. That

year that gives nothing by way of a permanent, public asset in return. Talk about poor value for money. In the area of childcare, there are similarly huge subsidies for the private sector. Why are we not building up public housing and public childcare models? These things would … That is spin. It is completely untrue and he knows it is untrue. We have set out detailed proposals, whether for a public childcare model, for a State construction company, and for solar for all. There are clear, detailed policies, but this Government is showing an absolute reluctance

areas. I met them in the context of higher education. The commitment in the programme for Government is clear. We want to get childcare to €200 per child per month in the lifetime of the Government. The Deputy is right that fees and the cost to families make … part of it, but there is also building the system and reform. I would like in the next budget to make progress on childcare costs but also make progress in the roadmap. In fairness to our colleague, the Minister, Deputy Foley, some important steps have been taken

There are a lot of young families where both parents are working. We need to make sure we provide support for them through childcare so they can continue in their work. As he said, some of Kilcock is in my constituency so I am very aware … have. He mentioned that we as a Government and our party, Fine Gael, advocated strongly before coming into government for a State-led childcare scheme that would fill the gaps where we do not have services, where it is not possible for private providers to expand or grow

there is a terrible event that happens - a murder or a manslaughter - measures are immediately put in place in order to put a childcare plan in place for the children. Obviously, the guardianship issue can be dealt with at a later stage but there is literally an immediate … going to care for the children on the night or for the following number of weeks. That is an issue where the Childcare Act already operates. Deputy Farrelly made points in relation to the Ombudsman for Children and Tusla. There was criticism of Tusla by a number

thank the Deputy. I believe that a proper publicly supported childcare system that works and has enough places, access and affordability is key, not just as an equality issue or a social issue - though it is both - but as an economic issue. It is an important issue. There … this House, at least on the destination we want to get to. We have made progress. Any parent who uses the national childcare subsidy scheme knows that scheme provides more funding and support now than it used to. People know that core funding has increased. People know

even though she did not speak any Irish. She had to get grinds in the UAE. Then there are similar difficulties with childcare for the youngest daughter. There is an issue for my generation, in particular. I am 36. Many my friends and a lot of people … back here. There should be assistance there and a pathway for them to come home. That could involve assisting with securing accommodation, education, childcare - basic fundamentals in which the State has a role. Certainly, the HSE should be looking to try to help more Irish medical professionals

something we are committed to doing. We have made very clear that we have plans when it comes to reducing overall costs for childcare, something that can be like an extra mortgage for people, but that we also need to look at overall access to childcare. That … they need it now. We also have significant plans through our investment and infrastructure plan, and other plans whether they be for childcare

major cost for those with children attending primary and secondary school. We have expanded the free hot school meals programme. We have expanded childcare and we need to do more on the childcare front. We have the €280 new baby grant, for example. Hospital inpatient charges were abolished … child poverty. We want to do that consistently over time. We also want to make sure we can reduce the cost of childcare and look again at what we can do in healthcare. Can we add to measures we have taken previously with HRT, free contraception

this stage. Is the process closed for expressions of interest? When the Minister suggests that some projects are from existing suppliers of childcare and others are for properties only, does she have a breakdown of those? With regard to State-led services, is the State proposing to take … over existing childcare providers in a State-led childcare service or will it be through co-operation between those existing providers and the State? I stress the problems that I am made aware of on a daily basis in County Kildare. The Minister will be aware that

very suitable scheme for many who wish to extend their premises. I also acknowledge the role of local city and county childcare committees. There is a consultation process under way on wider early years and learning in terms of the conversation on education. Great work is being done … local city and county childcare committees, and those who are willing to put forward their buildings, thoughts or ideas must first go through the city and county childcare committees and I want to make this clear

while that makes me feel old, it is remarkable to see the investment we have made in childcare over the period. We paid nearly €1,500 per month with no subsidy of any sort from the Government. As the Minister said, the national childcare scheme supports families. However … positive things will come out of delivering it. It is important. On the issue, there is always a tension between the provider, the childcare worker and the parent and the needs of all three. While we have to balance that, I return to the point that we made

lifelong employment prospects. Something that is not right is a legal interpretation of valuation law that could shut down ECCE services. ECCE-only childcare services have traditionally been exempt from commercial rates on the basis they are an educational service, which they are. These are preschool services receiving … will lead to ECCE services shutting down. The contradiction is stark. One arm of government is getting it right and funding ECCE and childcare, and wants to expand services, while another arm of the State is taking action that could do the opposite. Ultimately this seems

further in her questions to begin to explore what the solutions look like and how can we constructively engage across political backgrounds. On childcare, we have recognised as a Government that relying entirely on the market is not a viable option. It is not going to work. That … have now taken a decision and already an allocation for the very first time to have publicly-funded childcare facilities in terms of a call. That needs to be the start. On the big issue around how we reduce the cost of childcare, we are fully committed

half the population and the implementation of this strategy should be the work of every single Department. Second, we need to recognise that childcare should not just be a mechanism for getting women into the workforce but instead recognise that it is absolutely key to unlocking women … social, cultural, economic and political life. I was pleased, as Minister, to be able to take steps to drive down the cost of childcare while I was in government. This Government needs to go further and focus on care as a form of work in our economic model

gains at all. For many women it is not getting easier but harder. Families are facing enormous pressures due to the cost of childcare, the availability of it, the cost of staying at home and the cost of returning to work. Parents find themselves performing constant solution-gymnastics … especially in the first year of a child’s life as they try to make childcare, employment and family finances work. We have to make the system evolve with the times to keep up with gender equality and make it work for families. The motherhood penalty remains very

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

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the timeline for the publication of the national childcare scheme review; the reason the publication of the review has been delayed from the original scheduled time of Q3 2026; and if she will make a statement

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who availed of the early childhood care and education programme and the National Childcare Scheme in 2025 and in 2026 to date; the reason the Budget 2027 expenditure report projects almost 100,000 ECCE children compared with over

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding families with children in childcare centres that are not part of the core funding scheme; if they will benefit from the €550 cap per month as announced in Budget 2027. [72164/26

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of parents that will benefit and from September 2027 pay €550 per month for childcare as announced in Budget 2027. [72031/26

Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare facilitators who are not in core funding by constituency/local authority. [72268/26

Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare facilitators who are in core funding by constituency/local authority. [72267/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she is taking to engage with a large childcare centre on its withdrawal from the core funding model (details supplied); and the actions she will take to support parents with the knock-on price increase

projects, locations and communities that have been submitted to her Department for consideration under the €135 million State-led early learning and childcare infrastructure programme; the county in which each project is located; and the status of each proposal. [69738/26

Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the circumstances in which sustainability funding may be provided to an early learning and childcare service required to relocate as a consequence of defective concrete; the categories of expenditure which may be supported under such funding; and whether

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place to support families that have children in childcare centres that have withdrawn from the core funding scheme and the related knock-on increase in costs. [70030/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of a childcare centre from the core funding scheme (details supplied) and what actions her Department has taken to engage with the management of this facility

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place to support families that have children in a childcare centre (details supplied) that has indicated that they are withdrawing from the core funding scheme and the related knock-on increase in costs. [70075/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of a childcare centre from the core funding scheme (details supplied); and the steps her Department has taken to engage with the management of this facility

which all adults are unemployed, economically inactive or otherwise not in paid employment who receive more than 20 hours per week of subsidised childcare; the average number of hours claimed; and the total cost to the Exchequer of these claims in each year from 2020 to date. [70430/26

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm that she will permit the extension of a sponsored claim through the national childcare scheme which is due to expire on the 13 December 2026 for a child (details supplied). [70418/26

ensure that the delivery of large-scale housing developments is matched by the guaranteed provision of essential community infrastructure, including community centres, libraries, childcare and other local amenities; and whether additional funding or supports will be provided to areas experiencing significant population growth such as Belmayne and Clongriffin

Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current status of the Programme for Government commitment to bring home-based childcare within a regulated and grant-accessible framework. [68073/26

Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will outline when the HSE will be providing a nursing practice programme for currently registered childcare nurses who have a gap in service and require this course to return to HSE employment; and her views on the urgency to provide

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of individual tax units that have benefitted from the childcare services relief scheme in each year since its introduction; and the annual cost for each of these years. [67904/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the new planning regulations in relation to childcare planning to be published that will update the 2001 planning guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. [67505/26

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding streams currently available to childcare providers affected by defective concrete, including sustainability funding and capital supports; and the number of providers that have accessed such funding to date. [67395/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when she expects the new planning regulations in relation to childcare planning to be published, that will update the 2001 planning guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. [67503/26

creating a system that would allow for parents to be paid the NCS subsidy directly in cases whereby their choice of preschool or childcare centre is not signed up to this scheme and therefore they cannot benefit from it and must pay the full cost of the fees

creating a system that would allow for parents to be paid the ECCE subsidy directly in cases whereby their choice of preschool or childcare centre is not signed up to this scheme and therefore they cannot benefit from it and must pay the full cost of the fees

consultation that took place before the introduction of the revised AIM funding and payment arrangements, including the linking of AIM payments to national childcare scheme approvals; and the stakeholders that were consulted in this process. [66708/26