76. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the new planning regulations in relation to childcare planning to be published that will update the 2001 planning guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. [67505/26]

The Programme for Government sets out a number of priorities for Government in relation to access to early learning and childcare services including a commitment to ‘review the 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities to ensure childcare spaces are provided and put to use’.

Further to the commencement of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 in October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements is based on Government priorities.

The current Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities (which remain in force until revoked or replaced by a new National Planning Statement) set out a methodology for calculating an adequate provision of childcare places and ensure consistency in the approach to the consideration of land use planning and development management aspects of childcare provision. National Policy Objective 41 of the Revised National Planning Framework 2025 also supports the strategic planning and alignment of planned population and employment growth with educational investment and prioritises the timely delivery of childcare facilities and schools on well-located sites within or close to existing built-up areas, to support the development of sustainable communities.

In addition, planning authorities have extensive powers and responsibilities to plan for childcare and community infrastructure through the statutory development plan process. The 2001 Childcare Guidelines require planning authorities to assess existing childcare provision and, where appropriate, prepare Childcare Capacity Assessments for major developments. Development plans must also include objectives relating to the social and community needs of the population.  The Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2022) provide further guidance and require local authorities to consider the future provision of social, recreational and community infrastructure, including childcare facilities, when making zoning decisions.

The Planning and Development Act 2024 strengthens this framework by requiring planning authorities to prepare strategies for the creation, improvement and preservation of sustainable places and communities, including the provision of amenities and services to meet social and community needs, including those of children. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), who play an important role as policy holders for the Early Learning and Childcare sector, has been liaising with my Department with regard to the planning process. A Forward Planning and Delivery Unit has now been established inside the DCDE to identify areas of future need and forecast demand to ensure that local early learning and school-age childcare capacity matches projected population growth. The DCDE also chairs an Early Learning and Childcare Planning Matters Working Group, which includes my Department and the Department of Education and Youth, to create a forum for information sharing and discussion in relation to current and future policy related to planning of early learning and childcare services, including examining the role of the existing Childcare Guidelines for Planning Authorities.

Further the commencement of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act, which relate to statutory plans, the Minister for Children, Equality and Disability is now designated as a prescribed body (statutory consultee) to be notified by local authorities in the making of new development plans and urban plans. The regulations associated with Part 4 of the Act which relates to planning consents and will be commenced later this year, will also designate the Minister for Children, Equality and Disability, as a prescribed body regarding local development proposals that have a potential impact on local childcare infrastructure provision.