2932. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the latest update on the State-led childcare programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61698/26]

€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.

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.

Following approval-in-principle having been granted, detailed costing work is required, the exact nature of which will vary depending on the specifics of each project but may include an independent valuation, design, quantity surveying as well as due diligence checks of buildings or sites. Operator selection has been undertaken in some projects and will proceed in the case of others shortly.

Local City and County Childcare Committees are supporting the development of projects.

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