Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
523. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the planning guidelines for local authorities on early learning and childcare settings will be updated; what this will entail; the timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28136/22]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority.
A key objective of First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families is to 'maintain and extend the supply of high-quality publicly subsidised early learning and childcare to best serve the developmental needs of babies and young children, ensuring that it also reflects the needs and preferences of parents and families'.
Among a range of actions in this regard is the updating of the 2001 National Planning Guidelines for the development of Early Learning Childcare settings, in consultation with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
This work had begun in 2020 but progress was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Officials in my Department are making preparations to recommence this work, in partnership with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. This involves undertaking a review of the existing guidelines, the identification of proposed changes to the existing guidelines and consultation on proposed changes before finalisation and publication of updated guidelines.
To inform this work, I recently convened a meeting with officials from a number of Local Authorities to seek their views on the existing guidelines, including any issues experienced around implementation.
This will inform the work of my Department in this initial review phase and adds to information captured from the network of City/County Childcare Committees on their views of the existing guidelines.
It is hoped draft updated guidelines will be available for consultation in early 2023.
