2811. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the areas identified in Cork county where childcare demand exceeds supply; the estimated shortfall in places; the measures being taken to increase capacity in those areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55915/26]

Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.

A forward planning model has been developed by officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to better understand the interaction of early learning and childcare supply and demand at local area level and to inform decision making about capital investment.

Work is continuing on the next stages of development of the forward planning model, which will incorporate future demographic trends and new housing developments, among other features.

Estimates of current and future unmet early learning and childcare need can vary significantly depending on assumptions made regarding target or required participation levels and the population projection source and scenario applied.

Aggregated early learning and childcare demand and capacity data, including data on enrolments, vacancies and waiting lists, is available on the www.pobal.ie/childcare/capacity/. Data on population and on expected future trends in population is available from the www.cso.ie/en/. and the ESRI.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is supporting the development of early learning and childcare capacity nationally, including in Cork, through Core Funding which was introduced in 2022 and has supported the expansion of capacity in the sector by 25% over three years.

Capital funding is also supporting expansion of capacity through both the Building Blocks Extension Grant Schemes and the State-led early learning and childcare capital programme.

A new Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme has been launched which will make available €10 million next year to support existing operators to expand their provision. The closing date for applications is 31 July. This follows on from the current Building Blocks scheme which will deliver up to 1,500 places.

Separately, the State-led early learning and childcare capital programme will invest €135 million in buildings in the coming five years to support the expansion of provision, delivering thousands of additional places.