1090. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her position on two recent applications to reduce the size of an associated creche space in a residential development (details supplied) in the context of the Programme for Government commitment to review the 2001 childcare facilities guidelines for planning authorities to ensure childcare spaces are provided and put to use. [65800/26]

The 2001 planning guidelines for planning authorities on early learning and childcare settings were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The guidelines are intended to ensure a consistent approach by planning authorities to planning applications in respect of the land use aspects of early learning and childcare provision.

I have not received notification from the planning authority of the cases that the Deputy raises. Under current planning legislation, I am not a prescribed body to be notified by planning authorities on receipt of planning applications.

However, the Department of Children, Equality and Disability has been advised by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage that, under forthcoming regulations, it will be included as a prescribed body in relation to planning applications which may be expected to generate significant additional demand for early learning and childcare. This will mean that the Department will be notified of such planning applications, and will have the opportunity to make a submission or observations to the planning authority on the application, if appropriate. The timing of this change will be determined by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

As with all planning applications, decisions on planning applications relating to land use for early learning and childcare facilities remain a function of the individual planning authority.