Data on the supply of, and demand for, early learning and childcare is already gathered by Pobal on behalf of my Department on an annual basis.
These data, captured before the onset of Covid-19, indicated that the supply of early learning and childcare places was meeting demand, with evidence of undersupply for certain age groups and in certain areas.
Data gathered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic revealed lower demand for early learning and childcare, and reduced occupancy among early learning and childcare services.
Data captured earlier this year parallels the pre-Covid-19 context, whereby the supply of early learning and childcare places is meeting demand though there is evidence of undersupply for certain age groups including children under 3, and in certain areas.
Specifically, in April of this year, City/County Childcare Committees (CCC) undertook a nationwide survey of capacity in early learning and childcare services. This survey was followed in May by the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey that is undertaken by Pobal.
Preliminary analysis of the latest data captured by CCC and Pobal reveal a drop in vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate now averaging at 13.3%.
The network of CCC already play a proactive role in this area.
As well as gathering capacity data on behalf of my Department, the network of 30 CCC across the country also use available data to match children and families to services operating with vacant places. In addition, they have been mobilised to engage proactively with services to identify vacant places and to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need and they routinely engage with local authorities on this issue.
In line with a commitment in First 5, my Department has committed to strengthening its approach to managing supply and demand.
A range of steps are being taken in this regard.
Among these steps is work underway to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government (DHPLG).
To date, this has involved a detailed review of the 2001 Planning Guidelines, with a survey of Local Authorities by DHPLG on current planning issues to roll out later this year.
As part of this work, to strengthen the role of my Department in managing supply and demand, the DHPLG is currently supporting is the inclusion of my Department in the updated lists of prescribed bodies (authorities) that need to be notified on certain planning matters. This will involve updating Article 11, 12 and 13 concerning notices on the formulation of County Development Plans and Article 14 concerning notices on the formulation Local Area Plans.
It is hoped updated draft Planning Guidelines will be available for consultation in early 2023.
An important and wider consideration in this work is the impact of Core Funding. Though this scheme is only in place since 15 September, initial analysis shows that there have been a significant growth in capacity in terms of place hours offered - with capacity growth for cohorts (such as babies and toddlers) and in areas where there has been significant pressure on places.
Applications for Core Funding continue to be received and more in depth analysis of Core Funding application data will allow for a more up to date and detailed picture of capacity to emerge.
