Search the record

move: That Dáil Éireann: recognises: — the challenges that exist in the Early Years Sector, including for parents trying to afford and access childcare places and for educators when it comes to pay and terms and conditions; — the thousands of children on waiting lists for childcare places; — the serious … deficiencies in capacity in our Childcare Sector; — the high costs of childcare that continues to exist with some parents paying over €1,000 a month; and — the Early Years Educators who are underpaid and undervalued by successive Governments; commends, the forty-three organisations who have come together

Issue on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley. At the outset, I welcome the Deputy's welcome in regard to the community childcare facilities. I congratulate his constituents in Raphoe Community Playgroup. I hope this marks progress for them. In relation to Ardara Community Childcare, I understand … access to early years and early childhood care and education, ECCE, all the way to afterschool benefit from this community service. Ultimately, community childcare services are vital supports for children and families, particularly in rural areas where childcare options can be limited. They provide not only early learning

Government think people who cannot afford to pay their energy bills are not working hard? Does it think that parents struggling with childcare costs, grocery bills, rent, mortgages and transport costs are not working hard? These are the people who needed to see real change in this budget … another budget and another opportunity missed. In the lead-up to the budget we heard big promises from the Government, particularly about childcare. The Tánaiste told us childcare was a priority for him in this budget, but what was announced yesterday falls far short of the huge change

provision of childcare services is an area in which I have had a particular interest and involvement for over 30 years. The Elm Park area childcare committee brought together community activists and parents from this area of Clonmel with the aim of providing a not-for-profit childcare … service for the area. Clever Clogs, as we know it, is a community-based facility which provides a not-for-profit, quality childcare service in a purpose-built unit, supported by the local community. It has a local board of management, committee staff and parents. It receives exceptional

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

children out of poverty, targeted energy credits at 800,000 households, abolished the means test for carers, reduced the cost of childcare for families while rolling out a public model, introduced a weekly cost of disability payment, and turbocharged the delivery of affordable housing. Instead, it of course … payment. The Government could have done this. Today, its announced measures simply will not work. When it comes to early years education and childcare, this budget is an abject failure. The Government has focused on one of the three Cs affecting the childcare sector. It has made

thank the Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, for coming to the House. I want to talk to her about childcare, particularly in Kilcullen, County Kildare, in my constituency. It was the end of July when I was contacted via email and phone by a number of families … Kilcullen about the lack of childcare in that growing town. I met with a large number of mothers on a very sunny day outside a local community centre. I was immediately struck by their concerns and the problems they were facing. I was informed about the Kilcullen Needs

spoofing that was done by Fine Gael especially but also by Fianna Fáil on many issues but most particularly in the area of childcare. The Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, in particular spoke a lot about a public model of childcare. That seems to have gone by the wayside … fallen by the wayside. The reality is that the only party that brought forward a plan that looked holistically at the issues in childcare was Sinn Féin. We looked at the funding element of it and at reducing the cost for families. We looked at increasing capacity, dealing

During the general election, you could not move but for tripping over another promotion of €200-a-month childcare. Every party on the Government side was at it. That is what happens in elections and now, unfortunately, we have been told this promise will fade into dust … will be no movement on it in the upcoming budget. It is extremely cynical and stressful for parents. We have the worst-funded childcare in the OECD. We also have the worst childcare cost-to-wage ratio in Europe, with workers struggling to put their children in childcare

from chief executives of local authorities and county councillors but no answer to this issue was provided in yesterday's budget. Affordable childcare means very little if parents cannot find a place for their child. Across the country, families are struggling to access childcare, as providers themselves face … staff leaving the sector and services closing their doors. Yet, this budget fails to provide a clear pathway to recruit and retain the childcare professionals on whom the entire sector depends. The Government continues to talk about reducing costs for parents but affordability and availability have

manage expectations and give cover for providing an increase of only €10. Help is on the way, just not now. For reduced childcare costs, people will have to wait almost another year. None of this is the hallmark of a Government that has a coherent plan. The only … groundbreaking? A payment that meets just 3% of the additional costs of having a disability. This is not just grossly inadequate, but insulting. Childcare is not only a huge cost for families, but also a huge stress. There is the stress of trying to find a place

Childcare is a cornerstone of society. It promotes and nourishes child well-being, gender equality and a sustainable work-family balance. Not many institutions or organisations can claim that. They are the backbone of our economy. If they do not operate tomorrow morning, the economy would collapse … half the workforce would not be able to go to work, yet childcare services are coming under enormous financial and structural pressure. In most parts of the country, childcare costs are in excess of €800 per month, and in major cities, costs are reaching well over

important issue. Last week when I raised these issues with the Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions, he outlined the level of Government investment in childcare, but investment is not the same as sustainability. The Taoiseach answered how much Government is spending; he did not answer whether providers can survive … around the country and particularly in rural communities, childcare providers are telling us the current funding model places enormous pressure on them. Participation in core funding is not proof that providers are financially secure. Many remain because they have no realistic alternative. The real question is this

Taoiseach aware that parents of children with additional needs are now facing the prospect of being unable to access early years childcare services because of the Government's failure to support the childcare sector? In 2021, the Government made two clear promises, namely, that childcare costs would … month and that providers would be supported through a new core funding model. The reality is that it has failed on both counts. Childcare providers honoured their side of the agreement. When core funding was introduced, they accepted fee freezes because they believed the Government would work with

Minister knows, childcare costs are completely out of control. Many people are paying the equivalent of a second mortgage. Shockingly, nearly 1,000 childcare providers have closed their doors over the past six years. That is incredible. The Federation of Early Childhood Providers stated that childcare facilities … closing because of rising costs and the lack of funding from the Government. Childcare costs in County Wicklow average more than €11,000 per year per child. In Wexford, they are more than €9,000 per year per child. Now, we are talking about as many

mortgage each month. Across the State, as the Taoiseach knows, there are nearly 50,000 children on waiting lists denied a childcare place. Many parents find themselves relying on family members to mind their children while they are at work. Some are forced to cut back on their … hours or consider leaving their jobs entirely. Now we hear that mounting cost pressures have seen nearly 1,000 early childcare facilities close their doors over the past six years. The Government committed to reviewing core funding to operators but that has not happened

thank the Deputy. Improving access to quality, affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare is a key priority for the Government. Capacity in this sector is increasing. Data from the annual early years sector profile for 2023 to 2024 shows that the estimated number of enrolments … increased by approximately 19% over the previous two years. School-age childcare has shown particular growth in recent years. The estimated number of enrolments for schoolgoing children nationally increased by 56% during this period. Moreover, 261 new school-age childcare services were added to the Tusla register

were the only party that went to the electorate with a credible, well-thought-out, well-constructed plan to deliver affordable public childcare. At the last election, both of the parties of Government, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael - I am not sure what the opinions of Deputy Lowry … crew are - could not walk more than 2 m without talking about affordable childcare. However, it turns out that that was just another useless, meaningless soundbite from them because absolutely nothing has been done in this regard. In fact, as I understand it, they want to bring

Forty years ago, when I was first elected to Clonmel corporation, one of the first issues I dealt with was childcare. I said at the time that a public childcare service was the solution to what was even then a difficult issue. After more than 25 years involvement … community childcare services in Elm Park in Clonmel, I am more convinced than ever that the public system is the only solution. Over time, other agencies have come to a similar view, including the citizens’ assembly, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, the United

welcome this opportunity to discuss the important issue of early learning and childcare. It is clear from the discussion so far that we all recognise the importance of early learning and childcare for children and their families as well as for society and the wider economy … opening statement the Minister, Deputy Foley, described the constituent parts of Together for Better - the Government's funding model for early learning and childcare, which has an allocation of €1.25 billion in 2025 alone. She also summarised how this funding model has brought significant benefits to children

opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare is a key priority for the Government. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. An annual sector profile demonstrates an 8% increase in enrolments between … place hours increased by almost 8%. The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the numbers of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024. However, it appears that demand for early learning and care and school-age childcare remains higher than available supply, particularly

last decade has seen a big shift in public policy towards childcare in this country. The State now recognises that the first five years are a critical developmental time for young children and has built a range of supports for parents and children so they can give their … accessible and affordable. There has been real progress in recent years, including the doubling of investment in early years education, the halving of childcare costs and the huge increase in the number of parents using the national childcare scheme. All those numbers are going in the right direction

those foster carers, and we know how important they are and the care they give right throughout the country at the moment. Childcare, as the Minister knows, is a huge issue for many families in our area. Places like Newbridge and Kilcullen have become childcare deserts because … lack of available spaces. County Kildare has the lowest level of community childcare provision in the State, with just eight providers. This is why I continue to call for the towns of Newbridge and Kilcullen to be prioritised as part of the new childcare pilot scheme that

solutions, which I hope the Minister takes on board. I want to get to a point where we have the €200 per month childcare promised not just by a lot of parties before the last election but also by Government representatives. That simply has not been delivered. Even … that point though it is not going to be of value to many parents because they cannot get access to childcare in the first place. I attended a public meeting in Tramore, County Waterford a number of weeks ago. All the Oireachtas Members and local councillors were invited

Government and at this point, we have neither affordability nor accessibility. It does not work for childminders. It does not work for childcare providers. It certainly does not work for those who work within it or the parents who are contacting all of us. A constituent wrote … stated: I am writing to ask for your assistance regarding an urgent childcare issue that is placing my employment at risk. I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mental Health ... in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. I am passionate about my work and have worked hard

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if consideration can be given that, when a childcare worker has received Garda vetting within the valid three-year period, that vetting can be transferred to a new childcare service; if the childcare worker moves

Children, Disability and Equality if she will engage with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on a proposal that, when a childcare worker has received Garda vetting within the valid three-year period, that vetting can be transferred to a new childcare service if the childcare

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will examine the dependence on for-profit provision of childcare in delivering childcare; if she will take steps to increase publicly provided childcare on a non-profit basis; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn a childcare provider (details supplied) which has recently announced its closure due to a significant rise in operational costs, staff retention and recruitment; if her Department has been in touch … with the childcare provider; the steps she will take to expand childcare provision in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17995/26

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 Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will consider adding the early learning and childcare sector to the list of occupations that need a minimum salary of €30,000 per annum to qualify for a general employment permit, to allow the childcare … sector fill the gap in qualified Irish childcare sector workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65929/25

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the start-up funding schemes currently available to individuals or organisations seeking to establish a childcare service, including early learning and childcare and school age childcare services; the eligibility criteria for each scheme; if consideration will be given to expanding

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if Budget 2026 will include targeted investment to reduce childcare costs, given recent reports showing that average childcare payments now exceed mortgage repayments in most urban areas; and the projected fiscal cost of implementing a universal … childcare cap or subsidy model. [44937/25

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that have left the national childcare scheme since the announcement of the childcare fee cap, in tabular form. [46018/25

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers in Dublin south central that have left the national childcare scheme since the announcement of the childcare fee cap, in tabular form. [46019/25

asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality given the Government’s commitment to expanding affordable and accessible early education and school age childcare, if she will outline the role her Department is playing in coordinating with the National Development Plan to ensure the delivery of public childcare … facilities as part of strategic housing developments on publicly owned land; if consideration has been given to ring-fencing spaces for public childcare in LDA-led developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43115/25

Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm that consideration would be given to reforming the core funding model for childcare centres, to provide additional funding for the scheme, to remove the cap on funding for childcare providers which has been reduced from … which may discourage childcare providers from continuing in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43901/25

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address the current shortage of childcare places for infants under 12 months; if consideration has been given to extending financial supports or childcare leave entitlements to parents who face a gap between … paid maternity and parental leave and the availability of childcare; and the way in which she plans to support working parents, particularly mothers, in re-entering the workforce under these circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39649/25

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if childcare providers can require parents to take up and pay for a full 45 hours of childcare per week as a condition of enrolment; and if she will clarify whether parents remain eligible to receive … national childcare scheme subsidy if they do not avail of the full 45 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36775/25

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full-year cost of increasing childcare subsidies to 100% of fees paid by parents availing of childcare subsidies from the national childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35658/25

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

Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department has assessed the current availability and capacity of childcare services in the East Wall and Sheriff Street areas of Dublin, in light of the imminent completion of approximately 600 new residential units; whether … there are plans to establish new childcare facilities or expand existing ones to accommodate the expected increase in demand; the measures being implemented to ensure that affordable and accessible childcare options are available to families in these communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her plans to deal with the critical shortage of affordable childcare services in Carlow and Kilkenny which is placing a huge financial pressure on working families; her further plans to develop a publicly-funded, community … based early years education and childcare model; the number of childcare places available in both counties; the number on waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18278/25

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her plans to deal the lack of childcare spaces in Dublin Bay north; to provide the number of childcare facilities in Dublin Bay north; the projected need for childcare spaces from

Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts being made to urgently address the crisis within the childcare system, with many childcare facilities unable to attract and retain staff; whether childcare facilities struggling to retain staff and at risk of closure

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being taken to increase the number of childcare facilitates in Dublin Bay north; the number of current childcare facilities in Dublin Bay north and the number of childcare facilities in Dublin Bay north

Question No. 1278 of 22 January 2025, in the context of the Programme for Government commitment to review and increase core funding for childcare services, whether she can detail the actions that will be taken to entice childcare providers who have exited core funding back into core funding … ensuring the fee cap is maintained for the benefit of all parents; if she will provide a specific dedicated forum for engagement with childcare providers who have exited core funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3463/25

Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in the context of the draft Programme for Government commitment to review and increase core funding for childcare services, if he can detail the actions that will be taken to entice childcare providers who have exited core funding back into core funding … thereby ensuring the fee cap is maintained for the benefit of all parents; if he will provide a forum for engagement with childcare providers who have exited core funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1754/25