The Government is set to approve a plan next week to acquire buildings that will be converted into childcare facilities, aiming to expand access to affordable early learning services across the country.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley will present a memo to Cabinet seeking approval for the rollout of State-led early learning centres. Each facility is expected to provide more than 100 childcare places, with the initial phase creating up to 800 spaces by early 2027.
The policy is designed to ensure high-quality childcare is available in local neighbourhoods, with a focus on one to three-year-old children, where demand is highest. The initiative will target both urban and rural areas that are currently underserved, while also prioritising communities facing economic disadvantage.
The programme will begin this year with the purchase and refurbishment of existing properties. Officials have emphasised that acquiring and renovating buildings will allow the Government to deliver new places more quickly than waiting for planning approval to construct new centres. Plans for constructing additional facilities will also be considered as the programme progresses.
Once the buildings are ready, the State will tender for operators to run the centres on a not-for-profit basis. This approach is intended to ensure quality and maintain affordability while providing consistent standards across all centres.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen early childhood education in Ireland. Minister Foley has stressed that the aim is not only to expand capacity but also to ensure that children receive high-quality care and early learning experiences.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has allocated €177 million for the programme, which will be implemented over five years. Officials say the funding will cover the acquisition, refurbishment, and operation of new childcare centres, alongside support for early learning programmes.
The Government believes the initiative could have a significant impact on families struggling to secure childcare places and reduce costs. Current shortages and rising fees have been cited as barriers for parents, particularly those with young children in the one to three-year-old age range.
Early learning advocates welcomed the plan, noting that the provision of State-led facilities could help ease pressure on private operators and improve overall accessibility. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the centres are staffed with qualified personnel to maintain high educational and care standards.
The rollout of the first centres is expected to begin later this year, with the programme gradually expanding nationwide. Government officials say the scheme represents a major step toward creating a more equitable and accessible early childhood education system in Ireland.
