Childcare Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-17
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Norma Foley (FF), Kerry

I agree with the Deputy on looking at every possible mechanism that we have to extend capacity. The building blocks scheme is one. In terms of it being State-led, the State is stepping in, particularly with the purchase of buildings. The State will continue to purchase buildings or build them, if that is required in an area. There is also the building blocks scheme for extensions. We are looking at a suite of measures that will, in the quickest timeframe possible, deliver availability or additional availability by supporting providers to do that or through the State stepping in.
I agree with the Deputy on the importance of the workforce. There is no point in having buildings if we do not have the workforce. We have a valuable and important workforce currently working in the system and we want more staff in the system. The Deputy will be aware that over two years the Government has invested over €90 million arising from an employment regulation order. The Deputy knows my views on wanting that to be expedited and put in place as quickly as possible.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-17