Clifden is potentially in line for new and expanded childcare facilities in 2027, with Fianna Fáil Galway West TD, John Connolly, calling on the Government to prioritise such services for the West Connemara region.
Dep Connolly raised the issue of childcare facilities in Clifden during the recent meeting of the Oireachtas Select Committee on Children and Equality. The committee was discussing the 2026 Revised Estimates for Public Services.
He pointed out to the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, that the town, which has a population of close to 1,300 people, has only one childcare provider via the local playschool service.
In January, Minister Foley announced a €135 million investment in State-led early learning and childcare services, aiming to provide high-quality, accessible care for children across the Republic.
Up to eight buildings will be funded in the first year, with the initiative expected to deliver thousands of childcare places by 2030 through capital funding provided under the National Development Plan.
Dep Connolly said the Clifden service was “anxious to participate” in this scheme, but he was concerned that the initial phase would “only be for the purchase of buildings, rather than building new facilities”.
However, Minister Foley assured Dep Connolly that the Government is “looking at the potential to build” as part of the scheme. She said this later this year, but more likely in 2027, and would also require consultation and engagement with the local city and county childcare committees.
“I welcome the Minister’s response that Clifden can be considered under the new scheme,” said Dep Connolly. “The town is the ‘Capital of Connemara’ and thus serves a wider region than just the immediate town itself. I call on the Government to earmark Clifden as a site for development under this new scheme, and for Minister Foley’s department to engage with childcare services in Galway and Connemara to progress this matter.”
