Childcare Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-19
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Norma Foley (FF), Kerry

I appreciate the case the Deputy makes. The purpose here is, in the first instance, to acknowledge that there is excellent provision by private providers and community providers. Notwithstanding that, there are still areas where there is an absence of provision. The purpose of the State-led services is to complement what is already there and to step in proactively where there is not provision. I hear the case the Deputy makes for his constituency. There is a capital steering group in place in the Department. The Department is assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services. The emphasis for 2026 is on the purchase of buildings but we also have provision for some instances where we will build. However, in 2026, the emphasis will be on purchasing or fitting out a building. All areas will be considered. Eight is eight, but we will be hoping to grow that in the coming years.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-19