Senator calls for “new approach” to delivering childcare facilities

Changes to the planning system to ensure childcare facilities are delivered in communities, similar to how social housing is provided, should be implemented by the Housing Department, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Emer Currie said planning guidelines should be altered to allow for childcare facilities in new developments.

Senator Currie said “since the 2001 Childcare Facilities, Guidelines for Local Authorities were introduced, which local authorities still utilise, we have not seen the kind of standardised provision of childcare places that we desperately need.”

“In those guidelines, a benchmark of at least one childcare facility for every 75 dwellings in new housing developments is required and it’s recommended those services would look after approximately 20 children – but that level of provision is simply not happening.”

“In my constituency of Dublin West, childcare facilities required under planning are being built, but instead of being opened to fulfil the need for childcare provision in an area, they can lie idle for years.”

“We wouldn’t let social housing sit idle like that when there is a community and social need – why are we doing so for childcare?” she asked”

The Senator said she knew of childcare providers that are “ready, willing, and able to open new services” but cannot secure units.

She said she was aware of childcare facilities being postponed to later phases of development and in some instances, never appearing at all.

“I know of units that aren’t economically viable for childcare providers or that are just shy of what’s required for regulation. Invariably and eventually the builder applies for a change of use after years of vacancy, while families in need of childcare places continue to struggle.”

“Planning authorities and childcare providers shouldn’t have to battle to plan and provide childcare places. The system has to change.”

Senator Currie said she raised the issue in the Seanad with Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell TD, who has committed to a review of the 2001 Childcare Guidelines for Local Authorities.

She noted that the Programme for Government commits to moving towards a “fully integrated public early-years childcare and education system that provides households with universal access to high-quality childcare” while also committing to establishing an agency, Childcare Ireland.

“How do we further ensure the matching of demand and supply in the delivery of childcare locally? We need to strengthen the joining of the dots between planning and provision,” she remarked.