Thousands of families to benefit from substantial reductions in early learning and childcare costs from 2 September

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From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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Press Release
  • New subsidy rates under the National Childcare Scheme effective from 2 September.
  • Fee cap for new services in Core Funding Scheme this year, extending to all services from September 2025 will stipulate a maximum fee that participating providers may charge, as part of a move towards a National Fee Structure.
  • Record numbers of children now benefitting from supports under the National Children Scheme.
  • OECD data reveal marked improvements across affordability indicators for early learning and childcare.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman today welcomed the introduction of new subsidy rates under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), which is set to substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs for early learning and childcare for tens of thousands of families across the country.

From 2 September, the minimum hourly subsidy under the NCS for children under 15 will increase by 53% – from €1.40 to €2.14.

For families using Tusla-registered early learning and childcare, the subsidy increase represents total cost reductions of up to €96.30 weekly per child, or over €5,000 annually.

From 2 September, the hourly subsidy under NCS sponsor referral programme, which makes special provision for vulnerable children, will also increase.

These latest changes to the NCS build on significant enhancements to the Scheme introduced by Minister O’Gorman in 2022 and 2023:

  • The practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from NCS awards was discontinued in April 2022.
  • The universal subsidy under the NCS was extended to all children under 15 in August 2022 (from all children under three).
  • The universal hourly subsidy under the NCS was increased to €1.40 in January 2023 (from €0.50 per hour).

Latest OECD data reveal marked improvements in affordability indicators for early learning and childcare as a result of these changes. Specifically

  • In 2022, couples on the average wage spent 27% of their household income on full time early learning and childcare and single parents on the average wage spent 17% of their household income on full time early learning and childcare. In 2023 this figure fell to 17% and 7% respectively.
  • In 2022, couples on the minimum wage spent 24% of their household income on full time early learning and childcare and single parents on the minimum wage spent 4% of their household income on full time early learning and childcare. In 2023 this figure fell to 12% and 0% respectively.

Record numbers of children are now accessing supports under the NCS. A total of 175,389 children have benefitted from an NCS subsidy so far this year. The number of children benefitting from subsidies has increased by over 97,000 when compared to the same period in 2022. Since its introduction, more than 232,700 children have availed of supports under the NCS.

Additionally, Minister O’Gorman announced that, starting in September this year for new services joining Core Funding, and expanding to all services in September 2025, a fee cap will be introduced which will, for the first time, set a maximum fee level which participating services may charge to parents. Participating services with very high fees will be required to bring those fees down. This will be implemented as part of the development of a new National Fee Structure intended to remove large disparities in fee levels across the country, giving greater certainty to parents.

Welcoming today’s changes to the National Childcare Scheme, Minister O’Gorman said:

“I am delighted to announce the introduction of these new subsidy rates under the National Childcare Scheme which are building on the increase I introduced to the minimum hourly subsidy rate in January 2023 and the extension of the scheme to children aged up to 15 in September 2022.

“These new subsidy rates will assist many thousands of families across the country to avail of quality early learning and childcare at more affordable levels.

“I encourage all eligible families to avail of these supports on offer, by visiting [external-link https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/ | www.NCS.gov.ie ] calling the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 or talking to their early learning and childcare provider.”

ENDS

Note for Editors

National Childcare Scheme

The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to help families with their early learning and childcare costs. The scheme, which was introduced in November 2019, has been designed on the principle of progressive universalism ensuring that families on the lowest incomes receive the greatest level of support.

There are two types of subsidies available to families:

  • Universal subsidies are available to all families with children between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. This subsidy is not means tested.
  • Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on the applicant’s individual circumstances. The rate will vary depending on the level of family income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in a family. To benefit from an Income Assessed subsidy, the applicant’s reckonable family income has to be less than €60,000.

In addition, a sponsorship referral programme is available under the NCS which makes special provision for vulnerable children. The NCS sponsor referral programme allows designated bodies to refer children to the Scheme where early learning and childcare is needed on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a referral is made by a Sponsor body, the family will automatically qualify for a subsidy without having to satisfy the Scheme’s eligibility, income or other requirements. The sponsored family is not required to make any contribution to the cost of the place.

In addition, in line with the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021 – 2028, there is a commitment to opening the NCS to childminders in Autumn.

Learner Fund Graduate/Childminder Bursary 2024

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Carlow CCC are pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 Learner Fund Graduate/Childminder 2024 Learner Fund Bursary as directed by DCEDIY.

 

Please find attached the Learner Fund Graduate/Childminder Bursary Rules and Application Form. We would ask that you share this information with your staff team.

 

If you have previously received public funding in support of completion of this award e.g. Skillnet you are not eligible to apply.

 

The table below outlines some important dates:

 

12th August Call for applications open by CCCs
27th September All forms must be fully completed and returned (incl. photographic evidence) by email to niamh@carlowccc.ie  no later than 5PM on Friday 27th September 2024.
Week of 11th November CCCs pay approved applicants

Graduate Information

2024 Learner Fund Graduate Bursary Application Form

2024 Learner Fund Graduate Bursary Rules for Applicants

 

Childminder Information

2024 Learner Fund Childminder Bursary Application Form

2024 Learner Fund Childminder Bursary Rules for Applicants

 

Completed applications can be returned to niamh@carlowccc.ie.

Minister O’Gorman announces funding for Youth Climate Justice Projects in 2024

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From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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  • Minister O’Gorman approved funding of €457,861 for 10 new collaborative youth projects
  • The Youth Climate Justice Fund supports youth-led initiatives related to climate justice at community, regional and national level.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced that a total of €457,861 has been granted to voluntary youth organisations in 2024 to support youth-led projects in the area of climate justice.

The purpose of the Youth Climate Justice Fund is to promote the engagement of young people in activities, initiatives and programmes that develop and support their knowledge, agency and empowerment in relation to climate justice. Today’s announcement brings the total made available under the scheme since 2020 to nearly €2.5millon.

Minister O’Gorman commented,

“I am delighted to be able to approve funding for a wide range of innovative and dynamic youth-led projects that support and promote Climate Justice. I am continuously impressed by the passion and commitment of young people surrounding this issue, and the commitment of those who aid these young individuals to deliver some outstanding projects. It will be exciting to hear about the outcomes of these activities and how young people with the help of some great organisations strive to make our world a better place”.

ENDS//

Notes to editors:

All projects funded under the Youth Climate Justice Fund 2024 are being led by a national youth organisation funded under the Youth Services Grant Scheme of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Grants are being awarded to the following four ‘consortium’ applications:

  • ECO-UNESCO (lead) with Feachtas Óg-Ghluaiseacht Gaeilge, No Name Club, Young Irish Filmmakers and Poppintree Youth Project
  • National Youth Council of Ireland (lead) with YMCA Ireland with Sphere 17 Regional Youth Service, Gaisce – The President’s Award and Concern Worldwide
  • Localise Youth Volunteering (lead) with Education for Sustainability

Grants are also being been made to the following organisations:

• Foróige

• Voluntary Service International

• SpunOut

• Ógras

• Youth Work Ireland

• Youth Theatre Ireland

• Junior Chamber International Ireland

Youth Climate Justice Fund Allocations 2024

Organisation Allocation
Junior Chamber International Ireland – Clare Street, Dublin €10,000
Eco-Unesco – Burg Quay, Dublin 2 €99,960
Foróige – Park West, Dublin €49,916
Localise – Glasnevin, Dublin €85,200
NYCI – Montague Street, Dublin €73,225
Spunout – Fleet Street, Dublin 2 €38,220
Voluntary Service International – Smithfield, Dublin €16,210
Ógras – Harcourt Street, Dublin €25,880
Youth Work Ireland – Rotunda, Dublin € 49,250
Youth Theatre Ireland – Rotunda, Dublin €10,000
Total Funding €457,861

Press Release

Traveller and Roma Education Strategy 2024 – 2030

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Press Release

Ministers Foley, O’Gorman and O’Donovan publish Traveller and Roma Education Strategy 2024 – 2030

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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Minister for Education Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan today announced the publication of the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES).

 

The Strategy is a key action under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2024-2030 (NTRIS II) and is also a committment in the Programme for Government.

It has been specifically developed to meet the needs of children, young people and adults from the Traveller and Roma communities with the aim of enhancing their education and outcomes.

 

Under the first two-year implementation plan for the strategy, two national Traveller and Roma Education Strategy co-ordinators will be appointed to support the implementation of actions within the Strategy, with an additional full-time national Supporting Traveller and Roma (STAR) co-ordinator role to support Traveller and Roma education. Family Link Workers will also be appointed to support the full roll out of the Tusla Traveller Parenting Support Programme.

 

Other key actions outlined in the plan include to:

• Increase the numbers of young people remaining in school to 6th year and achieving a Leaving Certificate

• Promote training on inclusion and diversity through teacher professional learning, develop more targeted cultural competence training

• Promote diversity in the education sector workforce

• Teach Traveller culture and history through the curriculum

• Introduce an information series on key education matters and policies as they relate to Traveller and Roma children and young people, which is accessible and available in a number of languages

• Through the Equal Start early learning and childcare model:

o Ensure all Traveller and Roma children participate in the ECCE programme

o Welcome and include Traveller and Roma families in early learning and childcare

o Ensure all early years educators and school age practitioners have training and resources in diversity and inclusion

o Offer additional supports to targeted services

• Ensure that students accessing tertiary education have a positive and welcoming experience

• Provide flexible and responsive learning opportunities

• Create safe and inclusive higher education campuses

• Through research, identify barriers to accessing tertiary education

 

Minister Foley said:

“It is positive to see the numbers of Traveller and Roma young people completing the Senior Cycle and Leaving Certificate have been increasing in recent years.

“However, it is important to also acknowledge that educational outcomes for Traveller and Roma children and young people in our schools are lower than for the general cohort of students.

“This government is committed to strengthening awareness and promotion of inclusion and tackling racism across the education system. It is important that we have an education system which meaningfully engages learners of all ages in a positive learning environment. I believe the implementation of the actions in TRES will greatly enhance the work that we already do to ensure that all children and young people who attend our schools are respected, valued and are supported to reach their full potential and complete their school education to Leaving Certificate.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work and collaboration that took place across the various departments, the Traveller and Roma organisations and with the education partners and our colleagues across all school communities to complete this strategy to ensure that it was an informed and inclusive process. In addition, I would like to say a special thank you to the children and young people who participated in our consultations.”

Minister O’Gorman said:

“In the coming weeks, the Government will publish the new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. The Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES) will be an important driver in that strategy’s key theme of education. Improving participation and progression, respecting cultural diversity, and bringing educational improving outcomes for Traveller and Roma children are the cornerstones on which this strategy will be measured. I am pleased to jointly launch and begin the work of the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy today.”

 

Minister O’Donovan said:

“I’m delighted to see the publication of the National Traveller and Roma Education Strategy. The government plays a crucial role in building a fair, equal, and inclusive society. This strategy ensures that everyone, regardless of background or education, can access higher education without barriers. It acknowledges that each person’s educational journey is unique and requires tailored support for success. Thanks to all stakeholders for their significant contributions to creating actionable steps that will bring real change to the education of the Traveller and Roma communities. The strategy’s goals are ambitious, but aiming high is essential for creating a more inclusive Ireland.”

An extensive consultation process was undertaken to help develop the strategy, involving collaboration across the three government departments and with representatives from the Traveller and Roma communities and organisations to capture the views and experiences of Traveller and Roma children themselves, Traveller and Roma families and communities and the education sector.

ENDS

Playful Families

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From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/665b2-playful-families/

Playful families are a wonderful way of getting parents, carers and families to feel more confident and able to facilitate play opportunities in and around their homes and also outside, so that children will have more fulfilling and wide ranging play experiences.

Below are links to some great resource guides from our kind friends in Scotland which show how to support the creativity for playful families:

Planning for Play Well Outdoors Pack

Play Scotland Parents Play Pack

Play Scotland Games on the Go Poster

Rainy Days Ideas:

We all know that Summer is not always guaranteed but that can’t stop children from having fun and exploring their playful and creative sides. Here is a list of some fun indoor ideas for children of all ages to enjoy when it’s raining:

• Hide and Seek

• Blanket and Pillow fort

• Baking

• Painting, arts and crafts, colouring

• Make paper aeroplanes

• Play Simon Says

• Indoor picnic

• Enjoy a good

• Tea party

• Reading

• Write short stories

• Create an indoor obstacle course

• Plan an indoor scavenger hunt

Minister publishes 2023 progress report for First 5, the whole of government strategy for babies, children and their families

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Press Release

Minister publishes 2023 progress report for First 5, the whole of government strategy for babies, children and their families

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’ Gorman, has today published the First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2023.

First 5, the ten-year Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-2028) was published in November 2018 setting out an ambitious programme of work over ten years to improve services and supports to young children. The second implementation plan for the strategy, covering the period 2023-2025, was published last year.

The report published today summarises recent progress in implementing the strategy, with 80% of all 2023 commitments met at this point and 95% expected to be met by year end. The Report also outlines key achievements from 2023 including:

• Additional funding was secured in Budget 2024 to extend Parent’s Leave and Benefit by an additional two weeks, bringing the total entitlement to Parent’s Leave to nine weeks with effect from August 2024;

• The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act was enacted introducing the right to request flexible working for parents and carers and extending breastfeeding breaks for working mothers from six months to two years;

• New measures were introduced under Supporting Parents: The National Model of Parenting Support Services;

• A Steering Group was convened by the Department of Health to recommence work on the establishment of a dedicated child health workforce;

• Funding of €1.109 billion was secured in Budget 2024, representing an €83 million (8%) increase on the 2023 budget allocation. Through this funding, there will be improved affordability for parents, improved availability and quality of early learning and childcare provision and additional supports for children with a disability and for children experiencing disadvantage.;

• New measures to tackle early childhood poverty were developed, including Equal Start the major new model of Government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.

Speaking about today’s publication, Minister O’ Gorman said:

“As Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I am delighted to publish the First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2023 and share an update on the very considerable progress that has been made to deliver on our 2023 commitments.”

The Minister also welcomed the continued collaborative efforts and shared ambition to deliver on the vision of First 5 across Government Departments, State Agencies and the Community and Voluntary sector and reiterated Government’s continued commitment to First 5.

Minister O’ Gorman said:

“There remains an ambitious agenda ahead over the lifetime of First 5 – to 2028 – and I look forward to continuing to this work with colleagues across Government.

“I am confident that, with continued cross-Government collaboration, we will build on our First 5 successes to date to ensure all children have a strong and equal start and the opportunities in life to fulfil their potential.”

ENDS

Note for Editors

The First 5 Implementation Plan 2023-2025 was launched in November 2023. It includes 125 actions to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. Some key achievements 2023 include:

• A broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring

Funding was secured in Budget 2024 to extend Parent’s Leave and Benefit by an additional two weeks with effect from August 2024. This increase will apply children who are under the age of two, or adopted children who have been placed with their parents for less than two years by this date. The combined durations of Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Leave and Benefit will equate to 46 weeks paid leave for a two-parent family. This is supplemented by an entitlement to 16 weeks of unpaid Maternity Leave.

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act was enacted on 4 April 2023. As part of the Act, the right to request flexible working for parents and carers and remote working for all employees was commenced following the preparation of a Code of Practice by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), in consultation with trade unions and employer representative bodies.

• A new model of parenting support

A social campaign driving traffic towards Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services started in September 2023. The webpages are live on gov.ie and act as a one-stop shop for information on all Supporting Parents Services operating nationally.

A Parenting Support Awareness Fund has been rolled out to 10 Children and Young People’s Services Committees in 2023, delivered through Parenting Support Sub-groups. Twenty five projects also received funding under the 2023 Supporting Parents, Parent Peer Support Fund. Through this Fund, a total of €50,000 was allocated to support organisations across Ireland.

Independent evaluations of the Little Baby Bundle and Little Library initiatives were undertaken in 2023. The reports from the evaluations will be published in 2024.

• New developments in child health

A Steering Group was convened by the Department of Health to recommence work on the establishment of a dedicated child health workforce.

The Department of Health also completed a national standardised curriculum for antenatal education providers, as well as a national education programme for parents.

New Healthy Eating guidelines were developed to help parents and carers establish good eating habits in children and the 2023/26 Skin Cancer Prevention Plan in March 2023 with babies and young children identified as a priority group.

Five pilot postnatal hubs were opened, to provide care and supports in the community to mothers and newborns in the weeks after birth. These hubs will provide education, breastfeeding, physiotherapy, emotional and physical supports, in the community. Improvements were made to reporting on vaccination uptake in pregnancy for COVID-19, influenza and pertussis.

• Reform of the Early Learning and Care system

A Critical Incident Plan for Early Learning and Care Settings was published in 2023. This resource provides information on the kinds of support that will help children to cope better following a critical incident.

A review of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme was completed by Stranmillis University College Belfast at the end of 2023 with findings to inform work the put the programme on a statutory footing.

A working group was convened to review National Childcare Scheme sponsorship provision in 2023 with funding secured in Budget 2024 to implement recommendations from the review.

A mapping of Irish-language Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare services was carried out.

A New Supply Management Unit was established in January 2024. This unit is leading on a number of actions to ensure the supply of early learning and childcare is aligned with demand.

• A package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty and disadvantage

Funding was secured in Budget 2024 for Equal Start and Phase 1 is due to commence from September 2024. Equal Start is a major new model of Government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.

Minister O’Gorman announces approved National Play Day 2024 funding

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Press release

Minister O’Gorman announces approved National Play Day 2024 funding

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Published on 

Last updated on 

• 30 Local Authorities were successful in their application and will each receive funding of €3,000

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced that €90,000 has been approved to support National Play Day 2024.

This year, National Play Day can take place on any day or combination of days between July 13th and 21st (inclusive).

The aim of National Play Day is to promote play opportunities for children and young people all across the country, with this year’s theme being ‘Time to Play!’. This theme recognises the importance of both making and taking playful opportunities in your day.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth received applications from 30 Local Authorities for this funding. All applicants qualified for the maximum amount of funding available – €3,000 per Local Authority.

The funding will enable Local Authorities to provide play opportunities for a diverse range of children and young people in the community.

Among the items funded are active play packs that target a number of harder to reach children, including; children with additional needs, children at risk of play deprivation and children in temporary accommodation. This is alongside a variety of outdoor community events across the country.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’ Gorman said:

“National Play Day is more than just a day of fun, it’s a celebration of the fundamental role that Play has in all of our lives. Through play, children learn to navigate the world and develop their social skills. Play is essential for their physical, emotional and cognitive growth.

By dedicating a day to play, we are recognising its importance, and encouraging communities to come together and make time for play”.

Notes to Editor:

The aim of National Play Day is to promote play opportunities for children all across the country. The DCEDIY received applications from 30 Local Authorities, all of which met the standard for awarding of funding. Each Local Authority that applied under this grant scheme will receive funding of €3,000.

The National Play Day grant provides funds to Local Authorities in order to allow them create and host play and recreational opportunities for children and young people in their communities.

National Play Day funding can also be utilised by Local Authorities to purchase and distribute play packs to children and young people. These play packs are targeted at children in the wider community in addition to children who may have fewer play opportunities.

This year, 30 local authorities successfully applied for funding under this scheme; details of these applications can be found here.

Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme

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Press release

Minister O’Gorman announces €25m in capital funding to deliver thousands of additional early learning and childcare places

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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  • New Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme to open for applications in autumn
  • Grants for early learning and childcare services to increase their capacity by means of large scale extensions
  • Funding to also be made available for community services to purchase or build new premises
  • This builds on previous Expansion Grant Scheme in 2024, with 23 services provisionally approved for funding to deliver over 300 new places

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman has today announced details of the €25m Building Blocks Extension Grant scheme for early learning and childcare providers.

The Scheme will deliver additional capacity for one to three-year-olds by supporting existing early learning and childcare Core Funding partner services, both community and private services, to undertake extensions to their existing premises. It will also fund community-based not-for-profit services who wish to purchase or construct new premises.

The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is part of the wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the revised National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP). €25 million will be available for the scheme over 2025 and 2026.

Projects with a value between €100,000 and €650,000 will be eligible and can include:

  • Extensions to existing premises.
  • Installation of modular buildings or buildings built using modern methods of construction.
  • Purchase of early learning and childcare premises (community services only).
  • Purchase of premises that could be easily adapted for use as early learning and childcare premises (community services only).
  • Construction of building to house a new early learning and childcare service on ‘greenfield’ or ‘brownfield’ site (community services only).

The Extension Grant scheme follows on from the Expansion Grant scheme which ran earlier this year. Minister O’Gorman is also today announcing that 23 services were successful in the appraisal process under that scheme and their projects have been recommended for funding. Successful services are being contacted directly by Pobal to agree next steps required to proceed to contracting. Grants of between €25,000 and €100,000 have been recommended for projects to undertake renovation or upgrades to existing space to cater for more children. The funding is anticipated to deliver 308 new places for one to three-year-olds.

Making the announcement today, Minister O’Gorman said:

 

“I am very pleased for the services who were successful in their applications under the Building Blocks Expansion Grant Scheme. This will deliver a welcome increase in places, particularly for young children.”

Minister O’Gorman said that the next phase – the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme – will be more ambitious and have an even greater impact on the sector. He said:

“I am delighted to announce this large-scale capital grant scheme. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme will provide funding to support services to deliver thousands more of affordable early learning and childcare places.

“It is the first time in many years that public funding is being made available for the purchase or construction of new premises. This element of the scheme, along with funding for large scale extensions, will support us to achieve our national target of having 60,000 places for under 3s by 2028.”

He added:

“My Department, working in partnership with the sector, has achieved huge success in recent years in improving the affordability of early learning and childcare.

“Improved affordability, along with increased population and high levels of employment, has increased demand for early learning and childcare. The Extension Grant scheme is an important initiative from Government to the sector to assist them in responding to that increased demand.”

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth continues to progress a range of other actions to increase the supply of quality and affordable early learning and childcare. These include the ongoing development and additional resourcing of Core Funding, which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced, as well as the regulation of childminders under the National Action Plan for Childminding, which will allow the National Childcare Scheme to open to parents who use childminders from autumn 2024.

The Department is also working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Childcare Facilities, including through the undertaking of a survey of planning authorities on their application.

Separately, the Department of Education has recently published Procedures for the Use of School Buildings Outside of School Hours which encourages and supports the use of school buildings for early learning and care and school age childcare where there is scope to do so.

An additional €5 million in capital funding in 2025 under the NDP will also support services who are experiencing sustainability threats due to problems with their buildings and the continuation of Childminding Development Grants to support the introduction of regulation to this element of the sector as well as the continuation of the Parent and Toddler Grant Scheme.

ENDS//

Note for Editors:

Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme

Key elements of the scheme

  • Applications to open in autumn 2024, funding to be available from 2025.
  • Total funding available for this Scheme will be €25m.
  • Scheme is open to Core Funding partner services only.
  • It is anticipated that the Minister will employ the use of liens over capital assets delivered through this funding programme in order to protect substantial public investment over the long term. For this reason, access to the scheme will be limited to services who own their own premises (which is not also a private residence) or services who have a long term lease.
  • All projects must deliver net increases in full-time or part-time places for one to three-year-olds.
  • A maximum fee threshold will apply.
  • Funding will be prioritised in areas of identified undersupply (using a relative demand model) and for services that have an Equal Start priority designation.
  • Project proposals will require detailed professional reports to be submitted as part of the application process. Applications will be reviewed by specialists appraisers in order to quality assure the buildings that are delivered under this scheme. Application of the Universal Design Guidelines will be key feature of the appraisal process.
  • The scale of funding available for different types of projects is outlined below.

Extension

  • Grants for extensions available to both private and community services.
  • Project costs of between €100,000 and €650,000.
  • Community services will be fully funded up to maximum of €500,000, any project costs between €500,000 and €650,000 must be self-funded.
  • Match funding will be required of private services for all projects, with a maximum contribution by the Department of €250,000 or 50% of total project costs, whichever is lower.

Purchase or construction

  • Grants for purchase or construction available to community services only.
  • Grants of between €300,000 to €650,000 will be available to purchase an additional space or construct a new premises to cater for additional capacity.

Further details of the scheme will be provided to the sector in the coming weeks.

gov – Minister O’Gorman announces €25m in capital funding to deliver thousands of additional early learning and childcare places (www.gov.ie)

Ministers O’Gorman and Humphreys announce the My Little Library Book Bag 2024

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Press release

Ministers O’Gorman and Humphreys launch the My Little Library Book Bag 2024

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Published on 

Last updated on 

Minister Roderic O’Gorman and Minister Heather Humphreys have today (21 June) launched My Little Library Book Bag 2024, which will provide every child starting school with free books and inviting them to join their local library.

The focus of the My Little Library – an initiative under First 5 – is to build strong links between young children, their families and their local library. For the past two years, children leaving the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme and starting primary school were invited to visit their local library to pick up a My Little Library book bag and take the opportunity to join the library.

This has resulted in tens of thousands of children collecting their book bags and joining their local library. In addition to My Little Library, younger children and their families were also invited to their local library pick up a bedtime story book to keep and join the library under the Little Book at Bedtime initiative.

The launch this year follows a successful pilot project in 2023.

From 21 June 2024, all children completing the ECCE pre-school programme and starting school this September are invited to visit their library, pick up a My Little Library Book Bag, in Irish or English, and join the library if they are not already members. Book bags are available at the library throughout the summer. All families are welcome to join the library too, if they aren’t already members.

In making the announcement, Minister O’Gorman said:

“I am delighted to announce this new Little Libraries initiative, offering free books to all children starting school, and encouraging them to join their local library. My hope is that this initiative supports children to take those first steps towards a lifelong love of reading.

“We know from the pilot project that 99% of parents and library staff supported the book gifting from the library becoming an annual initiative. The strength of this response coupled with my own belief in the importance of stories and books for young children means I am pleased to ensure My Little Library will now be run every year.”

Minister Humphreys said today:

“I am pleased that my Department is providing support for the continuation of My Little Library. I know that the library staff across the country share my enthusiasm for connecting young families with our excellent national library service.

“The gift of reading to and with children cannot be overestimated. It not only supports connection between parents and their children but also promotes early language and literacy development which is crucial for children’s success in early learning and beyond.”

Offaly Chief Executive and Chair of the Libraries Development Committee, Anna Marie Delaney said:

“Local authority public libraries look forward to welcoming all children starting school and their families into their local libraries to collect their book bags and discover the delights of being a library member.

“Reading is so beneficial for children’s development and for supporting them as they grow. We hope that our Little Library members and their families will come back regularly to refill their book bags and take part in all the events and activities we have on offer.”

This initiative was originally a pilot funded by Dormant Accounts Funding. The mainstreaming of the Little Library Initiative fulfils a commitment in First 5: a Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-2028).

My Little Library was independently evaluated with the results showing extremely positive feedback from children and their families and from library staff and early years educators. Parents reported that the book bag supported their children’s transition to primary school and gave them a new reason to visit and join the library.

ENDS

Note to Editors:

  • The My Little Library book bag is now available in local libraries for all children starting primary school in September.
  • The initiative will be available annually.
  • Books are available in Irish and English.
  • Videos of the Irish books being read are available on Libraries Ireland website.

First 5 (published in 2018) is a ten-year Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families. This Strategy works to enhance early childhood and make a significant contribution to the lives of young children, their families and society over the short, medium and longer term. More information can be found on the First 5 website at: www.first5.gov.ie/

This initiative is an action of the Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3f341-towards-a-new-literacy-numeracy-and-digital-literacy/

And

The Library is the Place: Information, Recreation, Inspiration – National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027. https://www.gov.ie/en/news/e6d8e-the-library-is-the-place-new-five-year-strategy-for-public-libraries-unveiled/

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/d8e9d-ministers-ogorman-and-humphreys-launch-the-my-little-library-book-bag-2024/

Minister announces details of additional funding to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access early learning

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Minister announces details of additional funding to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access early learning

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Published on 

Last updated on 

Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has today announced details of €13.5 million in additional funding for Equal Start – the major new model of Government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.

Equal Start will include a suite of universal supports, child-targeted supports and setting-targeted supports to ensure every child and every early learning and childcare setting will benefit from a continuum of supports that reflects a continuum of need.

Children to benefit from child-targeted supports will include children living in disadvantaged areas, Traveller children, Roma children, children availing of the National Childcare Scheme through a sponsor body, children experiencing homelessness and children in the International Protection system.

Settings to benefit from setting-targeted supports – approximately 750 are settings, which have been objectively identified as operating in the context of the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage.

The majority of additional funding for Equal Start for the first programme year – over €11 million – will be allocated to these targeted settings to fund additional staff hours that can be used to support engagement between the settings and families, engagement between the settings and other child and family support services, training in inclusive practices and to support other educators and practitioners in the provision of early learning and childcare to children with higher levels of need.

There will be two tiers of support depending on the levels of disadvantage within the setting:

• around 300 “Tier 1” settings serving 12,500 children will receive funding to support a 15% increase staffing hours

• around 450 “Tier 2” settings serving 22,000 children will receive funding to support an 8% increase staffing hours

The settings that have been objectively identified as operating in the context of the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage will be notified in the coming weeks if they have been designated as Tier 1 or Tier 2 settings. Settings must be in contract for Core Funding in the coming programme year to benefit from these setting-targeted supports.

The remaining funding available for Equal Start in the first programme year will support the following:

• Appointment of six Family Link Workers to support the full roll out of the Traveller Parenting Support Programme to all 17 Tusla areas, with new responsibilities on Family Link Workers to engage with Traveller parents of children aged 1-5 years, supporting them to attend and participate in early learning and childcare, avail of the ECCE programme and where applicable applying for the NCS.

• Appointment of a Traveller and Roma Advisory Specialists to work in Better Start

• Review and updating of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Guidelines and associated training

• Review of the current Inclusion Co-ordinator role and updating of Leadership for Inclusion Programme

• Development of a new Family Community Liaison role and development and rollout of associated training programme

• Roll-out of Early Talk Boost to Equal Start target settings

• Roll-out of Meitheal training and engagement by early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners in Meitheal

• Development and roll out of Communications and Engagement Plan

• Development of a new strand of funding under the existing Case Management Process for critical incidents

• Roll-out Equal Start literacy and numeracy initiatives under the National Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Minister O’Gorman said:

“This is the first step towards major enhancements to how we support children and families experiencing disadvantage and the settings that serve them. I am committed, as is this Government, to alleviating child poverty and breaking cycles of disadvantage and this is a key component of our response to that commitment”.

 

Notes to Editor:

Overview

Equal Start is a funding model and a set of universal and targeted measures to support access and full participation in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) for children and their families who experience disadvantage. In support of this overarching objective, Equal Start consists of a series of actions – 17 in total – to support children and families as well as educators, practitioners and settings. The goals of Equal Start are that:

• All children , in particular children experiencing disadvantage, have equitable access and participation in ELC and SAC settings.

• All ELC and SAC settings ,in particular settings operating in the context of concentrated disadvantage, equitably promote the learning and care of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Parents and families , in particular parents and families experiencing disadvantage, are empowered with the knowledge, tools and supports necessary for children to have equitable access and participation in ELC and SAC.

Equal Start constitutes the fourth strand of Together for Better, the funding model for early learning and care and school-age childcare and complements the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), and Core Funding as well as other key policies that also support disadvantaged children within early learning and care and school-age childcare.

Equal Start has been developed on foot of extensive consultation with parents, educators and practitioners, providers and representative groups, is informed by national and international evidence and experience, including the DEIS model in schools.

Strands of the Equal Start

Universal measures (Strand 1) – Every child and every setting

Strand 1 of Equal start will provide universal measures – measures that are available in all settings and that will support positive experiences and outcomes for all children. Through their universal reach, these measures will support children from disadvantaged backgrounds in whatever ELC or SAC setting they attend. In addition, some of the measures here will prioritise Equal Start targeted settings and target groups in their initial roll-out but with the aim ultimately of universal roll-out to all ELC and SAC settings. Measures under Strand 1 fall into three areas:

A. Empowering parents – communications initiatives to support parents (in particular parents from disadvantaged communities) to know about what services are available to them (both ELC and SAC settings and parenting supports), how to access them, and what financial supports can help them.

B. Embedding inclusion in settings – supporting ELC and SAC settings to be more inclusive through reviewing and extending Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Leadership for Inclusion in Early Years (LINC) training, reviewing support for the Inclusion Coordinator role, strengthening admissions policies, and supporting settings’ engagement in inter-agency cooperation for child welfare and protection.

C. Supporting partnership between settings, families and communities – developing a new role in ELC and SAC settings of Family and Community Partnership Coordinator, introducing training to support the new role, extending the Better Start advisory role to support Equal Start and supporting parents’ involvement in settings.

Child-targeted measures (Strand 2) – Every child with a priority designation

Strand 2 of Equal Start will provide child-targeted measures – measures that are available in all settings and that will focus additional supports on children from disadvantaged backgrounds and priority groups, including:

• children living in a small area assigned as deprived under the Pobal HP Deprivation Index,

• children from a Traveller or Roma ethnic background,

• children availing of the National Childcare Scheme through a sponsor referral,

• children living in homeless accommodation, and

• children living in an International Protection Accommodation Centre or Emergency Orientation and Reception Centres.

Measures under Strand 2 fall into two areas:

D. Meeting practical needs – additional, semi-flexible funding to support access and participation of children from priority groups, in all settings.

E. Developing tailored responses – working with representative organisations of target groups to co-create effective solutions to address barriers to access and participation in ELC and SAC for children from those target groups.

Setting-targeted measures (Strand 3) – Every setting with a priority designation

Strand 3 of the Equal Start will provide setting-targeted measures – measures that specifically target settings that have been identified through the Equal Start identification model as settings with high concentrations of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Strand 3 will provide:

F. Additional funding for settings in areas of concentrated disadvantage – flexible funding for additional staff time to assist settings in supporting children in the most disadvantaged communities, as well as funding for additional meals in targeted settings to help address food poverty and the provision of targeted interventions for children experiencing language delay. The Equal Start identification model will also be used in other areas of ELC and SAC policy to support the further development of the progressive universal approach to policy set out in First 5.

Identification Model

Children and settings to benefit from targeted supports have been identified through the Equal Start identification model, which uses administrative data from the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme (e.g. children’s Eircode and ethnicity, as well as sponsor referrals) combined with Pobal’s HP Deprivation Index and geocoded lists of homeless accommodation providers, International Protection Accommodation Centres and Emergency Orientation and Reception Centres. No application process will be required for targeted supports.

Press Release