Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
145. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has recently engaged with the Dublin city childcare committee to identify vacant places for early learning and childcare in their catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26578/23]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority and my Department relies on a number of data sources to monitor supply and demand.
The annual data captured by Pobal on behalf of my Department - through the Early Years Sector Profile Survey - is one important data source that allows us to monitor supply and demand. In addition to this survey data, my Department also relies on data from the register of services held by Tusla and data provided by services as part of their application for Core Funding. My Department also regularly conducts surveys with parents. Indeed, since 2020, five parent surveys have been undertaken by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of my Department.
In addition to these measures, the City/County Childcare Committees (CCC), including Dublin City Childcare Committee proactively engage with early learning and childcare services to identify unused capacity and explore the potential/intention for services in increase capacity, particularly where there is evidence of unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
Most recently, in February/March this year, CCC, including Dublin City Childcare Committee undertook a survey in a sample of providers in their local area for this purpose.
Fieldwork for the Early Years Sector Profile Survey 2022/23 is currently underway which will provide an updated position of capacity across all CCC areas.
