Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2022
96. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the planning guidelines for early learning and childcare will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62621/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Planning Framework (NPF) recognises the importance of the provision of childcare facilities specifying that “the continued provision and enhancement of facilities and amenities for childcare and young people such as childcare, schools, playgrounds, parks and sports grounds, remains necessary and will need to be maintained at similar levels for the foreseeable thereafter”. Furthermore, the NPF includes a specific National Strategic Outcome 10 entitled Access to Quality Childcare, Education and Health Services, while National Policy Objective 31 identifies the requirement to invest in ‘…a childcare/ECCE planning function, for monitoring, analysis and forecasting of investment needs, including identification of regional priorities; The provision of childcare facilities and new and refurbished schools on well-located sites within or close to existing built-up areas, that meet the diverse needs of local populations…’;
In respect of childcare provision as part of the development management process, the Guidelines for Planning Authorities relating to Childcare Facilities, were issued in 2001 by this Department under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, to provide a framework to guide both local authorities and developers. Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to the guidelines in carrying out their functions. The Guidelines set out the methodology for calculating adequate provision of childcare places and are intended to ensure a consistency of approach to the treatment of applications in respect to the land use planning aspects of childcare provision, for relevant planning applications, developers and childcare providers in formulating and considering development proposals.
Officials from my Department are currently engaging with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in relation to updating the Section 28 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities. An interdepartmental meeting has been held to discuss the review of the guidelines and further engagement is planned in early 2023 to advance this area of work.
