COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 169

MOTION: Councillor E. O'Brien

That all primary schools constructed within the development have pre-school childcare/ early years learning care centres located on the same campus as the said primary school. Amend section 2.7.3 at page 51

REPORT:

The Chief Executive supports the co-location pre-school childcare/ early years learning care centres and schools. In Section 2.7.2, the Scheme supports proposals for early childhood care and education use within community buildings such as community centres and schools. The Chief Executive does not recommend a mandatory policy position that all primary schools have such facilities and considers such as policy position is an issue for the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

The Draft Planning Scheme seeks to facilitate the sustainable development of good quality and accessible early childhood care (early years and general childcare both home based and centre based) and education infrastructure. The Scheme requires an approach to early childhood care that combines area based and market led provision.

In general, the policy position in Ireland in relation to the delivery of Early Childcare Care and Education (ECCE) is predominantly based on private sector delivery with state financial support.

The requirement that all primary schools constructed have an ECEC centre is not recommended for inclusion in the Draft Planning Scheme as it may impinge on the delivery of the schools. It is considered that an amendment to the text in Section 2.7 under Childcare is warranted to state the following:

The Scheme supports the co-location of purpose built childcare facilities with primary schools and supports the provision of purpose built childcare facilities adjacent to existing or planned primary schools.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the motion be adopted with amendment as follows:

In Section 2.7.3, under Childcare subheading, after the existing line:

The Scheme will also support proposals for early childhood care and education use within employment floorspace, community buildings such as community centres and schools.

Insert

The Scheme supports the co-location of purpose built childcare facilities with primary schools and supports the provision of purpose built childcare facilities adjacent to existing or planned primary schools.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No likely significant effects on European sites within the SDZ’s zone of influence are predicted.