2877. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she is aware of a potential gap in existing childcare capital schemes whereby community organisations seeking to develop new childcare facilities may be ineligible because they are not themselves existing childcare providers; whether this issue will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61076/26]

The Department supports the ongoing development of existing and new services in the sector through its range of funding schemes and support infrastructure including City and County Childcare Committees.

Local City and County Childcare Committees provide advice and guidance to organisations who are interested in establishing new early learning and childcare provision. This can include support to identify appropriate premises, and support in seeking capital funding where available.

The contact details for the City/County Childcare Committees may be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/

The Core Funding scheme, which has been in operation since 2022, offers supply side funding to services, include new services, subject to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement. Now in its fifth programme year, Core Funding funds services based on the number of places available. This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service.

The Department also supports the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Expansion Scheme, which operated in 2024, delivered almost 300 places. The Building Blocks Extension Scheme, which is currently operating, will deliver up to 1,500 quality, affordable full-day care places. Up to €10m has been set aside for the Building Blocks Extension Scheme Phase 2, which will operate in 2027. Applications under Phase 2 are currently being appraised, with services being notified of the outcome of this appraisal by the end of September. Given the limited timeframes within which these schemes are required to be delivered, they have been open only to existing early learning and childcare providers.

Separately, earlier this year I announced €135 million of capital investment over the coming five years for State-led early learning and childcare services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare that will provide thousands of places up to 2030. The process has begun in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative. While the preference is to work with already existing groups in the early part of the programme, this will be kept under review as the initiative progresses.