Written answer
Childcare Services
387. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the short-term or interim funding options available for an early education centre (details supplied) while it is awaiting the outcome of a sustainability fund application from the Dublin City Childcare Committee; to maintain this centre’s viability in the short term considering it is located in an area where there is already a significant shortage of childcare places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50327/26]
Comment on this
I understand Dublin City Childcare Committee (DCCC) has met with the Moatview Early Education Centre Manager with regards to their present situation. It is expected that a follow up meeting will take place in July where the appropriate supports, both financial and non-financial, will be identified and progressed.
Dublin City Childcare Committee (DCCC) and Pobal need to assess the level of support required before progressing a sustainability funding request.
To support this, Moatview Early Education Centre should complete the Financial Planning Tool that was shared with them in June and return the document to DCCC as soon as possible.
While waiting for the outcome of the assessment, the service will continue to receive all current funding supports available to them. Since September 2025, the service has availed of funding from Core Funding, The National Childcare Scheme, Equal Start, the Access and Inclusion Model and the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme totalling €268,886.99
Once a service engages with their local City/County Childcare Committee, they will be able to avail of supports through the case management process. Through this process, local City/County Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services experiencing difficulties.
I would encourage any service experiencing difficulty and who would like support should contact their CCC to access case management supports. Contact details for all City and County Childcare Committees are available on the gov.ie website.