2928. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of units that have been flagged to her Department regarding the State-led capital childcare programme as potential childcare facilities, by county, in tabular form. [61708/26]

2929. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of units flagged in Dublin 15 for the first round of projects under the State-led childcare programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61701/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2928 and 2929 together.

€135 million is being made available in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements.

The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 with the funding provided through the National Development Plan. The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government.

The Department has received project proposals from a number of sources since the programme was launched which, along with projects which the Department was aware of prior to the programme launching, includes 99 potential projects across the country as of 28 August 2026. This figure does not include projects that have been communicated informally to the Department but which require formal submission, via City/County Childcare Committees.

Projects come to the attention of the Department by a number of routes, including:

• Preliminary Appraisal Forms submitted to the local City/County Childcare committee - 36 projects.

• Direct engagement by the Department with other public bodies such as the LDA or local authorities - 32 projects.

• Engagement with Approved Housing Bodies who deliver early learning and childcare - 7 projects.

• Projects which applied but were ineligible for a previous Building Blocks grant scheme - 3 projects.

• Other projects brought to the attention of the Department before the programme was launched - 10 projects.

• Projects identified through research conducted by the Department - 11 projects.

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These projects are in very different stages of development. Some relate to existing buildings ready to occupy or fit out, while others are longer-term prospects for future years. Not all proposals align with the programme objectives. Some projects are proposed by an existing early learning and childcare service provider, while others relate to a building/property only and a separate process to identify an operator would be required.

The Department is aware that this is not an exhaustive list of all projects that could form part of this programme of investment and will continue to seek potential projects for consideration. The Department is now assessing project options in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme.