Childcare Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-23
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Norma Foley (FF), Kerry

I have raised the matter with the Minister for Health. Indeed, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to her for her attention because it is a matter that is more directly within her remit. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality does not determine the use of buildings when it is not involved in funding them. The design of buildings and the designation of space within them, including for the purposes of early learning and childcare, is a matter for the owners of the building in accordance with the wider planning legislation. Individual planning decisions are a function of planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála is statutorily independent in the performance of these functions.
The 2001 planning guidelines for local authorities and childcare facilities were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 by the Minister for housing. The guidelines are intended to ensure a consistent approach to the treatment of planning applications in respect of the land use planning aspects of early learning and childcare provisions. The guidelines propose appropriate locations for early learning and childcare facilities, including in the vicinity of concentrations of workplaces where significant numbers of staff are employed.
While the 2001 planning guidelines have contributed to the delivery of a substantial level of early learning and childcare infrastructure, I am also aware that there are challenges in implementing the guidelines. The Government is committed to reviewing the guidelines to ensure early learning and childcare spaces are provided and put into use. The Planning and Development Act 2024 and the revised national planning framework, along with the ongoing work on Shaping the Future, the phase 2 action plan for the development of the early learning and childcare sector, provides a strong basis from which to pursue this work.
Separately, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has been liaising with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the planning process as set out in the planning and development regulations of 2001. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has confirmed that the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality will be designated as a prescribed body to be notified by local authorities of planning applications that might give rise to a change in the demand from early learning and childcare provision. This is a really positive step forward for us in the Department.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:06+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-23