COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

MOTION NO. 23

MOTION: Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh

That this committee in further recognising the inadequate provision of childcare services to emerge within the Adamstown SDZ and surrounding developments of West Lucan, now write to the Minister for Children expressing our concern in this regard.

REPORT:

Section 2.6 of the Adamstown Planning Scheme outlines that the 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 in Adamstown. It is considered that a requirement for pro rata childcare provision will not necessarily meet the needs of an evolving population or ensure sufficient flexibility in the longer-term and that market factors and government policy will have a greater role.

The Scheme requires a two tier approach to early childhood care and education infrastructure provision that combines area based and market led provision. The Scheme requires one or more purpose built facilities in or adjacent to the District Centre and Local Centres and in the approved facility at Airlie House. The minimum requirements for childcare spaces in the required facilities are set out in Table 2.16. These facilities will be within walking and cycling distance of all homes and close to other educational, community and commercial facilities. The Scheme will also support proposals for early childhood care and education in flexible use buildings, community buildings such as community centres and schools and in homes subject to appropriate safeguards.

Table 2.16 requires a minimum of 600 childcare spaces as follows, updates in brackets:
• Adamstown Castle – 100 (existing)
• Adamstown Station – 200 (No permission for childcare to date )
• Tobermaclugg Village – 100 (100 space capacity, c.637sqm constructed - Giraffe)
• Tandy’s Lane – 100 (No permission for childcare spaces to date).
• St Helens – 100 (Granted permission for 847sqm under Reg. Ref. SDZ18A/0011 – not commenced)

The Planning Authority is implementing the Planning Scheme requirements as development progresses and has requested the developers to consider bringing forward childcare spaces earlier than required by phasing. The Planning Authority has no objection to the letter to the Minister on this issue.