Childcare Plan is a radical step but requires planning reforms – Currie

The publication of the Government’s Childcare Plan is an important step forward by committing €197m for state-led infrastructure, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Fine Gael’s spokesperson on childcare Emer Currie said: “This Government is taking a radical step by committing to acquire facilities to supplement childcare supply. This is further than any other Government has gone to modernise early learning and childcare in Ireland, while tackling acute levels of demand.”

The plan focuses on the acquisition of buildings, with the aim of establishing large-scale services where possible, which can provide an average of 100 places per service. This work will be led by the new Forward Planning and Delivery Unit within the Department that is already focused on identifying areas of need and forecasting demand.

However, Deputy Currie has raised concerns about the plan’s assumption that the outdated 2001 Planning Guidelines for Childcare Facilities will be effective in delivering the supply of new childcare units.

“These guidelines stipulate the allocation of 20 childcare places for every 75 new homes and will only provide an effective pipeline of childcare places and facilities if they’re updated urgently,” she said.

Deputy Currie said the guidelines are flawed, citing exemptions for one-bed apartments, proximity to existing facilities, and developments of fewer than 75 homes. She said they fail to consider local waiting lists and often result in unworkable childcare units which remain empty for years before being repurposed into housing.

“This must signal a change in the prioritisation of childcare infrastructure in planning authorities who currently oversee the construction of units that are unviable or unworkable as childcare facilities.

“By updating the guidelines, the Government can create an effective pipeline for state-led childcare facilities, that will build the mixed private public model of childcare which Ireland desperately needs.”

Deputy Currie concluded by saying the changes “must form part of the upcoming Action Plan on Early Learning and Childcare and School Age Care.