3099. Deputy Daniel Ennis asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total Exchequer investment in early learning education and care in each year from 2021 to 2026; the equivalent percentage of GDP and GNI represented by that investment in each year; and the estimated additional annual investment required to bring public spending on early learning and childcare to 1% of GNI. [63895/26]

Over the past six budgets, investment in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) has risen from €640 million in 2021 to €1.5 billion in 2026, reaching the First 5 investment target 5 years ahead of time.

It is important to note that GDP is a misleading indicator in the Irish context. The OECD emphasises that, in the Irish context, “one should rely on other indicators” as GDP gives an inaccurate indicator of the country’s economic health.

A modified GNI was recommended by the Economic Statistics Review Group as a more useful comparator. This is designed to exclude globalisation effects that are disproportionally impacting the measurement of the size of the Irish economy.

The table below outlines the investment in early learning education and care in each year from 2021 to 2026 and the equivalent percentage of GDP and GNI represented by that investment in each year.

Notes: The Supplementary Budget allocation figures include funding for dormant accounts.

Modified Gross National Income at Current Market Prices. GNI less factor income of redomiciled companies, less deprecation on R&D service imports and trade in intellectual property, and less depreciation on aircraft leasing.

This includes €707m investment plus once off €23m in Covid-19 supports.

This includes €481m investment plus once off €109m in Covid-19 supports.

GDP at Current Market Prices.

In 2025, Ireland’s GNI* at current prices was €334 billion. To increase spending to 1% of GNI*, equalling €3.34 billion, an additional annual investment on 2026 budget of €1.8 billion would be necessary.