Major overhaul of planning system for childcare facilities urgently needed to increase supply – Currie

Fundamental changes are required to the planning system to increase the supply of childcare places, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Fine Gael Spokesperson on Childcare, Emer Currie, was speaking as she published proposals which she said would help the system work better for parents, providers and builders.

Deputy Currie said: “Over 40,000 children under the age of three are on creche waiting lists nationwide. It is a huge stress for parents if they are unable to secure a childcare place and it is clear we need to increase capacity.

“At the moment we have a planning system that doesn’t prioritise childcare supply. Planning authorities have proven ineffective in ensuring that childcare supply meets the requirements for new and existing communities, particularly in areas subject to rapid population growth.

“We know that there are cases where buildings which were supposed to provide new childcare facilities are either lying idle or have ended up being sold off for residential use by developers. An audit should be conducted by each local authority to identify the number of childcare facilities built under the 2001 planning guidelines which have not been put into use, and suitable buildings should be considered for purchase under the new State led programme to address areas of under-supply.

“Going forward, we need a holistic approach to childcare forecasting and planning. Rather than relying on an outdated formula from 2001, a new forward-planning model should assess local childcare need and inform land-use zoning, planning applications, local area plans, and integration with the school planning system.

“I am proposing a number of changes which I believe would make the system work better for everybody.  Among these is the development of a nationwide ‘Standardised Design Framework for Childcare Facilities’; similar to the Department of Education where a standardised design can be used for all childcare buildings.

“We require a consistent pipeline of childcare facilities to respond to local demand. Where the planning system requires developers to build new childcare facilities, I believe a new partnership model should be developed. Under this model, prior to construction, the State would give the developer a purchase guarantee on an open book basis to acquire the newly built childcare facility.

“Should a developer wish to sell the childcare facility to a private provider in the usual manner, they are free to do so. However, if it doesn’t sell within a reasonable timeframe, the State’s purchase guarantee can be called in and the State will take ownership based on the verified open book cost of delivery.

“There are also huge opportunities to regenerate vacant premises in towns and villages and repurpose these buildings at speed to increase the supply of childcare places.

“The National Development Plan and Phase One of the Early Years Action Plan commits to a programme of capital investment in state-led childcare facilities. This is very welcome but it must be matched by reform of our planning system if we are to increase supply at the scale needed to meet demand. I have raised the need to reform the existing planning guidelines with both the Minister for Children and the Minister for Housing previously. A review of those guidelines is currently underway and I am hopeful that my proposals will be given consideration as part of that process.”