26. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update in relation to the State led provision of childcare scheme. [47573/26]

€135 million will be made available between 2026 and 2030 for the State-led Early Learning and Childcare capital programme, providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare.

The process will begin this year with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements. The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design, open and operate services.

To assess potential sites, a forward planning model has been developed within the Department. The model seeks to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level. An extensive data analysis and cleaning exercise has been undertaken to map available publicly-subsidised supply.

As well as the forward planning model, a suite of appraisal criteria and tools have been developed in order to assess the potential alignment of projects with Departmental goals of promoting quality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability.

The Department is now assessing project options in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme.

Project proposals can be brought to the attention of the Department through completion of a preliminary appraisal form which is available from City and County Childcare Committees.

When a suitable project is brought to the Department, the Forward Planning and Delivery Unit develop a Preliminary Business Case for the project. The Preliminary Business Case assesses the building and the location associated with the project against the programme's appraisal criteria as well as analysing cost, value for money and the quality of the proposed building. The Preliminary Business Case is considered by a Capital Steering Group, comprising senior Department officials and members from the Office of Public Works and the Department of Education and Youth. It can then be submitted for approval-in-principle.

It is important to note that this is not a guarantee of funding for the project as a whole.

After approval-in-principle, a Final Business Case is developed for the project which includes the selection of an eligible operator, agreement of investment/purchasing of buildings, and detailed building design and costing work. The Final Business Case is considered by the Capital Steering Group prior to being submitted for approval. Only once a Final Business Case which provides full details of the project has been developed can final approval for funding be sought.

To date, four projects have received approval-in-principle and are being developed. A further five projects are being prepared for submission for approval-in-principle.

No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.

Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects so in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee.