COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 12, 2026

QUESTION NO. 26

QUESTION: Councillor A. Smyth

To ask the Chief Executive to provide an update on the status of the community childcare facilities evaluation report.

REPLY: 

South Dublin County Council (SDCC), in partnership with the South Dublin County Childcare Committee, has commissioned a feasibility study on community childcare facilities across the county. Following an open tender competition, a successful supplier has been identified to undertake the study.

SDCC and the South Dublin County Childcare Committee will be meeting with the successful candidate in the coming weeks to finalise the necessary agreements before the study formally commences. It is anticipated that the study will be completed and a final report produced by the end of Q1 2027.

The South Dublin Childcare Provision Feasibility Study will provide a robust, evidence-based foundation for future childcare planning across the county, encompassing Early Learning and Care (ELC), School Age Childcare (SAC), and childminding services. The study will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining demographic, housing and childcare data analysis with extensive stakeholder engagement to assess current provision, identify service gaps, evaluate existing and future demand, and forecast childcare needs in the context of population growth, evolving policy requirements and ongoing development pressures.

Drawing on sources including census data, planning records and sector-specific insights, the study will produce a comprehensive county childcare profile, GIS mapping of existing services and demand patterns, and a series of strategic recommendations aimed at improving accessibility, inclusion, sustainability and alignment of childcare services across South Dublin County.

The study is intended to deliver an evidence-based roadmap to support more informed decision-making and the long-term planning and development of childcare infrastructure throughout the county.

The proposal submitted by the South Dublin County Childcare Committee sets out a comprehensive methodology for undertaking the study and is expected to provide valuable data and insights to inform future childcare investment and service provision within South Dublin County.