Minister Says Talks With Local Authorities On Childcare Locations Underway As Details Remain Unclear

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 15:55

By Martin Osborne

Minister for Children Norma Foley says she is currently in talks with local authorities about potential locations, though nothing is officially confirmed.

Proposed new state-led early learning facilities will add up to 800 new childcare places.

The government says it will focus on delivering the service in disadvantaged and rural areas, prioritising one to three-year-old children.

With a budget of 135 million euro, the initial focus will be on buying and refurbishing existing properties, with hopes new facilities will be built later into the programme.

Minister for Children Norma Foley said she is currently in talks with local authorities about potential locations, though nothing is officially confirmed.

Social Democrats and Kildare North TD Aidan Farrelly has called on Minister Norma Foley to appear before the Oireachtas Children and Equality Committee, following what he described as a lack of detail in the Government’s proposed public childcare model.

Deputy Farrelly said the announcement offered no clear timelines, costs, or clarity on buildings or sites, warning that childcare provision is already in a “dire state” and that urgent answers are now required.

"In areas where there are no suitable buildings to purchase, have viable sites been identified for development? If they have been, what is the timeline and cost of construction identified by the Department? Yesterday’s announcement is vacuous without substance," Deputy Farrelly said.

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