Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020
127. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare facilities that had to apply for planning permission due to Covid-19; the number of applications approved and refused, respectively by county in tabular form. [40781/20]
View answerIt is a matter for each registered provider, within the context of their specific service provision, to determine whether structural amendments to their premises were / are required in order to meet the on-going public health requirements. Some services may have altered their premises for the purpose of meeting COVID-19 requirements by using temporary, demountable partitions in existing spaces, where necessary.
Smaller group sizes, and relatively low numbers of children per adult, both of which that are regulated features of the early learning and childcare sector, assisted the sector to meet some of the needs posed by COVID without significant structural change. For example, a 1:3 adult child ratio exists for babies, and the highest number of children per adult is for school age childcare, where one adult can look after no more than 12 children. Additional features of the early earning and childcare sector which assisted compliance with public health guidance were regulations in place with regard to the amount of floor space per child, and access to outdoor play areas.
It is a matter for the registered provider to ensure that any changes, such as adding to the premises, are not undertaken in contravention of their existing fire and planning restrictions, and to apply to the relevant authorities for the necessary permissions if required.
My Department does not hold or collate any data on applications for planning permission.
