There are over 2,350 children in Galway under the age of three are on waiting lists to access the care and education they deserve, according to new figures released by Pobal.

The figures were also highlighted by Early Childhood Ireland, the leading membership and advocacy organisation for high-quality Early Years and School Age Care, at a meeting with Galway East Deputy Peter Roche last week.

The discussion with its CEO, Teresa Heeney, and the organisation’s policy team focused on ECI’s Budget 2026 priorities for Early Years and School Age Care, including the importance of improving access to these services for every child in Galway.

“Our priorities for Early Years and School Age Care have the potential to be life-changing for more than 15,400 children attending settings in Galway today and for generations to come,” she said.

Early Childhood Ireland believes that every child in Ireland should have access to high-quality Early Years and School Age Care as a basic right.

ECI Director of Policy Frances Byrne said that the waiting list data reveals just how urgent it is to resolve the accessibility issues in the Early Years and School Age Care system and ensure there are enough places for children in their communities.

“Early Childhood Ireland was delighted to meet Deputy Peter Roche, and we look forward to further constructive engagement with them on these topics moving forward,” she said.

Pictured: Galway East Deputy Peter Roche with Early Childhood Ireland’s CEO Teresa Heeney at last week’s meeting ahead of Budget 2026.