Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator once again for raising this important matter. She has identified the issues. In her view, it is now about process. A review is currently under way of the planning guidelines for childcare facilities. Second, officials from my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are engaging in updating the section 28 Childcare Facilities: Guidelines for Planning Authorities with feedback from the individual local authorities. Regarding the point the Senator raised on section 5, it is considered part of this review process. It is hugely important for parents to have adequate childcare facilities in their own areas. People are under enormous pressure in their daily lives. Ideally, they want childcare facilities within walking distance of where they live. That should be the objective, as well as people being able to live and rear their families in their own locality. The Senator raised an important point. I will feed it into the review group and I will take a direct interest in the planning aspect.