The 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 has been done by the Department to identify need and capacity issues. I ask that the commitment in the programme for Government to provide such investment be made available now where need is shown and proven already rather than taking the time to do the scoping. Where need is already identified, could that investment be released?

The Government is essentially five months - close to six months - in office. This will require capital allocation and provision. We are working off the budget of last year in terms of the Estimates that were provided to every Department, so there are limits to what the Government can do in 2025 if one takes on board that substantial additional capital moneys were allocated to housing - up to €700 million - and substantial additional moneys were allocated to education in respect of new school projects. I will talk to the Minister for children in respect of the specific area Deputy Kerrane has identified.