Written answer
Early Childhood Care and Education
Childcare capacity has increased in Galway, but shortages remain, particularly for children aged one to three. The Government is supporting expansion through Core Funding, Building Blocks capital grants, €135 million for State-led facilities by 2030, and local Childcare Committees, with rural and underserved areas included.
103. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the assessment undertaken of childcare capacity in Galway East; the measures being taken to create additional childcare places in rapidly growing communities; and if consideration is being given to targeted supports for childcare providers operating in rural towns and villages. [64934/26]
Comment on this
Improving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile for the 2024/25 programme year estimated that there were 247,011 children enrolled in early learning and care and school age childcare, a 25% increase from 197,186 estimated enrolments in the 2021/22 programme year.
In County Galway, estimated enrolments increased by 28%, from 13,047 in the 2021/22 programme year to 16,716 estimated enrolments in the 2024/25 programme year.
This data also indicated that 41% of services nationally and 45% of services in County Galway had at least one vacant place in the 2024/25 programme year
However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fifth programme year, 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.
This Department is supporting the expansion of early learning and childcare capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks capital funding schemes have been in operation since 2024.
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 by the Department with input from the Office of Public Works. Services will be notified of the outcome of this appraisal process shortly.
The purpose of the Building Blocks Extension Scheme Phase 2 is to deliver additional capacity in the sector by supporting existing early learning and childcare services to undertake physical extensions to existing premises. The scheme was open to Core Funding Partner Services, both community and private. The aim is to tackle the estimated undersupply of full-time places, particularly within the 1-3-year-old (pre-ECCE) age-cohort. Places for children in other age brackets were also eligible for funding, once the service can create at least the minimum number of places in the priority age-cohort.
Separately, earlier this year, I announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030.
Earlier this year, I announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030. This is a ground-breaking initiative for Government beginning this year. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the buildings, depending on requirements.
The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 with funding ramping up in the coming years.
There will be a particular focus in the new State-led facilities on providing places for 1–3-year-old children, with capacity for these children to continue in the service until they start school, because this is where the need is greatest. The aim of delivering additional supply of this type in suitable locations will include both rural areas and urban areas which are not well served at the moment.
The Department also funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance. The contact details for the Galway Childcare Committee may be found at https://www.galwaychildcare.com/