Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on childcare services in County Meath; the number of childcare places available in the county; the length of the average waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48510/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year, Pobal gathers data from early learning and childcare providers which informs the Early Years Sector Profile. Based on data captured in respect of the (unpublished) 2022/23 Sector Profile Survey (which was gathered in late Spring/ early Summer 2023), there were 10,091 places across services in County Meath.
Of these place, 1,311 were unfilled – representing a vacancy rate of 13%. This is similar to vacancy rate nationally which stands at 12.3%. The Childcare Committee in County Meath is in a position to match children and families to the services operating with vacant places.
Services completing this survey were also asked to provide the number of children on a waiting list by age and service type. Based on data gathered from services - an extrapolated waiting list figure of 2,841 for County Meath was derived through this survey.
While the number of children on waiting lists is an indication of demand, it must be noted that parents often place their child/children on multiple lists. Therefore, this figure cannot be used to indicate overall demand in the county.
As indicated in my earlier reply, a series of steps are being taken by my Department to address issues of undersupply, including through investment in Core Funding, implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding and the Building Blocks Capital Programme under the National Development Plan.
The important work by my Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings and the recent identification of my Department as a prescribed body that need to be notified on certain planning matters, including the formulation of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans are other important steps being taken to ensure the supply of early learning and childcare places meets demand.
