Minister Browne Welcomes Two Proposed Locations in County Wexford for New State-Led Early Learning and Childcare Projects

Enniscorthy and Gorey among seven locations identified nationally, with each facility expected to provide more than 100 childcare places

Minister James Browne has welcomed the identification of Gorey and Enniscorthy in County Wexford as two of seven locations nationwide being advanced for new State-led early learning and childcare capital projects.

Across the seven proposed locations, there is potential to deliver approximately 600 new childcare places, with each facility expected to provide more than 100 places.

Minister Browne said he had been pressing for Wexford to be included in the programme and welcomed the identification of locations in both Gorey and Enniscorthy.

“The announcement of these two locations in Wexford is a groundbreaking move and badly needed and I’ve pressed for thi since becoming Minister to make this happen and for Wexford to be part of the immediate tranche of places identified nationally, and locations have been secured.”

The proposed project in Gorey, Co. Wexford, is intended to provide a large early learning and childcare service in the rapidly growing town.

Gorey has been identified as an area experiencing an undersupply of childcare places, with the proposed State-led project intended to increase capacity and improve access for local families.

A second proposed project will be developed in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Like Gorey, Enniscorthy is a rapidly growing area that has been identified as having an undersupply of childcare places. The area also includes a number of families experiencing disadvantage.

The proposed facility is intended to provide a significant increase in childcare capacity for families in the town and surrounding area.

The Department of Children will now proceed with the identification of high-quality not-for-profit providers to operate the proposed services in Gorey and Enniscorthy.

Detailed developmental work is already ongoing on the Wexford projects. This includes:

The projects will also be supported by appropriate legal and contractual arrangements designed to permanently protect the value of the State’s investment.

The identification of Gorey and Enniscorthy marks an important stage in the development of new State-led early learning and childcare capacity in County Wexford, with further work required before the projects receive final approval.