Have you heard of Let’s get Ready? Well, it’s a fantastic website run by the Department of Children that has all the information that families need.
Let’s get Ready has tonnes of useful information on:
• Starting pre-school
• Starting primary school
• Information for families with children of disabilities.
• Information resources.
Please see link below to new guidance document issued by TUSLA on Vetting for Students issued in May 2025:
A record number of children – approximately 190,000 – have benefitted from the National Childcare Scheme this year.
Last September, the minimum rate for the National Childcare Scheme subsidy increased by 52 per cent.
This means that families using full-time early learning and childcare (45 weekly hours) now receive a minimum of €96.30 per week in universal subsidies per child, which can be up to €5,007 in subsidies off their annual bill per child.
New figures show that the number of children benefiting from the National Childcare Scheme between last September and May has increased by 17% on the same previous period to 189,716.
Higher subsidy rates of up to €5.10 per hour, or €229.50 per week, may be available under the National Childcare Scheme for families who choose to apply for an income assessed award. These rates, which depend on the family’s income, and the age of the child, mean that some families may not have to pay any contribution towards the cost of early learning and childcare for their child.
Since last September childminders have also been able to register with Tusla, and parents who use Tusla-registered childminders can now apply to avail of subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme.
The rise in the number of children benefiting from the National Childcare Scheme is being announced as parents and their children are invited to join the Department of Children at the ‘Budding Bloomers’ section of Bord Bia Bloom.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said:
“I’m very pleased to see a 17 per cent rise in the number of children benefiting from the National Childcare Scheme since the increase in National Childcare Scheme subsidies took effect as part of Budget 2024. I hope the number of families using the scheme continues to increase as the year progresses.
I’m keen that parents take the opportunity to find out more about what supports are available to them. If they want to use a registered childminder who is providing a childminding service in their own home, they can now avail of the National Childcare Scheme as well. State investment to the tune of €1.37 billion this year is helping considerably to transform the early learning and childcare sector in this country.”
At the Department of Children’s stand at the ‘Budding Bloomers’ section of Bord Bia Bloom, children will have the opportunity to plant their own strawberries while parents can find out more about the Government supports available to help reduce the cost of early learning and childcare. These supports include the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme.
Staff from the Department, the City/County Childcare Committees and Pobal will be there to speak
with parents who would like to find out more about these Government supports.
All families with children under 15 are encouraged to avail of the supports on offer through the
National Childcare Scheme by visiting https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/ or by calling the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530.
Any family or childminder looking for more information on childminding options available to them, should contact their local City or County Childcare Committee. A full list of the 30 City and County Childcare Committees can be found here.
| Year | Number of unique children benefitting from NCS |
| 2019 | 5,149 |
| 2020 | 48,032 |
| 2021 | 76,432 |
| 2022 | 123,528 |
| 2023 | 182,247 |
| 2024 | 218,362 |
| 2025 Year-to-date | 189,716* |
| Total | 281,820 |
*The number of children benefiting from the National Childcare Scheme is expected to increase further as this year progresses.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley today published results of a wide-ranging survey on childcare undertaken earlier this year by Ipsos B&A on behalf of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
The nationally representative poll of more than 700 families with children under 15 reveals increases in the proportion of parents who report to find it easy or fairly easy to pay for early learning and childcare.
Specifically, 49% of parents of pre-school age children and 53% of parents of school going children in non-parental care report they find it easy or fairly easy to pay for childcare. These latest data compare favourably with data from 2023 when 28% of parents of pre-school age children and 43% of parents of school going children in non-parental care reported they found it easy or fairly easy to pay for childcare.
These data were gathered following the introduction of fee management under the government’s Core Funding Scheme, including a fee freeze introduced in 2022. Parents also now benefit from recent increases in subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme – with 74% of parents availing of these subsidies to offset out of pocket costs for childcare reporting that the subsidies were easy to access.
Notwithstanding this progress, findings show many parents continue to experience difficulty finding a childcare place for their child and in paying for childcare, including 38% of parents of pre-school age children in non-parental care who reported they find it difficult or very difficult to meet the out-of-pocket costs.
Additional analysis of the data by staff at the Department of Children also identified key gender differences, with significantly more females reporting that difficulties arranging early learning and childcare had:
The poll also gathered data on parental awareness of existing State supports. 91% reported that they were aware that all children aged 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months are eligible for two years free preschool under the ECCE programme while 55% reported that they were aware that families of children aged 14 and under are eligible for financial support towards the cost of childcare under the National Childcare Scheme.
Commenting on the findings, Minister Foley said:
“The National Childcare Scheme is currently supporting thousands of families to offset their childcare costs.
“Moreover, the recent extension of regulation to paid, non-relative childminders is opening up of the National Childcare Scheme to an increasing number of childminders, enabling more parents to access State subsidies who were previously unable to do so.
“These developments to the National Childcare Scheme combined with fee management measures under Core Funding, have resulted in tangible improvements for many families.
“I do recognise however that the burden on some families remains high and some continue to face challenges in accessing places, particularly families with very young children.
“That is why the Programme for Government has made very ambitious commitments in this policy area, which I am committed to delivering on.”
Minister Foley continued:
“Results from the survey show awareness of supports under the National Childcare Scheme, while improving on recent years, remains low.
“An awareness raising campaign, led by my department, is underway.
“As part of that campaign, my department will be engaging with families at the ‘Budding Bloomers’ section of Bord Bia Bloom this weekend to discuss the supports available to help reduce the cost of childcare.”
Full details on supports available to reduce the cost of childcare is available at www.gov.ie/childcare.
The innovative new Nurturing Skills website was launched by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality at the national conference – ‘Continuing the Journey: Exploring the updated Aistear’ – which took place in Dublin today. This new online platform, nurturingskills.ie, will support over 31,000 staff working with 235,000 children in early learning and care, school-age childcare and childminding settings in Ireland. It offers practical tools, reflective resources and professional guidance to promote inclusive practice and protect their own health and wellbeing.
The Nurturing Skills website will host the new Nurturing Skills Learning Hub, which provides educators with easy access to learning materials and training opportunities in several areas including Inclusive practice, Health & wellbeing and the Irish language.
The website also represents a significant milestone towards achieving a national Continuing Professional Development system for the sector, which was a commitment in Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Development Plan.
Commenting on the launch of the new Nurturing Skills website, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said:
“I am delighted to see the launch of the new Nurturing Skills website, which is an innovative platform designed to support and empower educators in their ongoing professional journey. This online resource reflects our strong commitment to inclusive practice and continuous professional development, providing easy access to high-quality learning materials and training opportunities designed to support and inspire educators.
“By providing a central hub for professional development, we are investing not just in our educators but in the future of all children in early learning and childcare settings.”
The website was launched today as part of the national conference – ‘Continuing the Journey: Exploring the updated Aistear’. This conference is one of a series of dissemination activities taking place following the launch of the updated Framework and associated Guidelines for Good Practice in December 2024.
Aistear, the Irish word for journey, was Ireland’s first curriculum framework for early childhood education when it was introduced in 2009. This is the first update since then and it will come into effect in September this year.
The updated Aistear is for all children from birth to six years in all settings other than primary and special schools. Aistear acknowledges that babies, toddlers and young children’s early experiences have a formative impact that can last throughout their lives. It is important for babies, toddlers and young children that Aistear is implemented in their early learning and care services to promote high quality learning experiences for children. The Framework can be used by all those who support babies, toddlers and young children and is particularly useful to those educators who work in professional roles and who play a significant role in the daily lives of young children.
Minister Foley said:
“I am delighted that the Department of Children, Disability and Equality have hosted this national conference focused on the updated Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework.
“This updated Framework reaffirms our commitment to a play-based and inquiry-led approach to early education, recognising both as essential. By placing the child at the centre and valuing children’s natural curiosity, educators are supported to nurture confident, capable and creative learners from the very start.
“This update reflects the latest research and best practice, and it ensures that every child can thrive in a setting that celebrates play, inclusion and joyful discovery.”
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee said:
“I very much welcome this conference marking the update of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and demonstrating the collective commitment to ensuring that the youngest members of our society are given the highest quality early learning and care experiences.
“The process of updating Aistear, by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, is supported by extensive research and consultation with children, parents and the many stakeholders across the ELC and education sectors. Early childhood is a significant stage of a child’s development; one that establishes dispositions that impact on children’s well-being, learning and development.
“Aistear, as the early childhood curriculum framework, seeks to ensure that children are supported to develop their creativity, resilience, empathy and independence and build their confidence to pursue their unique abilities, strength and interests. The core principles that underpin the updated Aistear will continue to be embedded in the next stages of their education through the new Primary Curriculum Framework, the Junior Cycle Framework and ultimately on into the Senior Cycle Framework. Education is a lifelong learning journey and I am very pleased to be working collaboratively with the Minister for Children, Equality and Disability as we support ongoing Aistear implementation.”
Speakers at the event included: Professor Iram Siraj, University of Oxford and National University of Ireland, Maynooth; Arlene Forster, Dr. Sharon Skehill, Dr. Mary Daly and Lorraine Farrell, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment; Dr. Geraldine French and Dr. Grainne Mc Kenna, Dublin City University; Shirley Heaney, Mary Immaculate College; and Máire Úi Mhurchú. Workshops on the day focused on a range of topics including slow relational pedagogy, outdoor learning, inclusive practice, Gaeilge, the role of the adult, and transitions.
Photos from the conference available and issued to photodesks by Gareth Chancey.
The conference took place in the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on 24 May 2025.
The keynote speaker was Professor Iram Siraj, University of Oxford and National University of Ireland, Maynooth.
Aistear was published in December 2024, following a process of updating the previous version (2009). The updating was led by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), under the aegis of the Department of Education and Youth, working in close collaboration with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the early learning and care sector.
Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, was launched in December 2021. Nurturing Skills sets out plans to raise the profile of careers in the sector and establish role profiles, career pathways, qualification requirements, and associated policy mechanisms, along with leadership development opportunities, and will work towards a more gender-balanced and diverse workforce.
Commitments in Nurturing Skills are organised under five “pillars”:
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley has today announced €25 million in funding to deliver 1,500 additional early learning and childcare places.
The Building Blocks Extension Scheme will deliver additional capacity by supporting existing private and community early learning and childcare providers to extend their premises. It will also allow community services to purchase or construct new premises.
Grants of up to €500,000 are being provided for large-scale extensions for community and private early learning and childcare services.
Grants of up to €750,000 are being allocated to purchase or construct new premises for community early learning and childcare services.
In total, 49 community and privately operated services have been shortlisted for funding under the scheme.
Minister Foley said:
“I am very pleased to approve the shortlisting of these services under the Building Blocks Extension Scheme. These projects will deliver 1,500 quality, affordable places for children in areas where they are needed most, which is a key priority of the Government. It will be a huge boost for parents in these areas.”
“I absolutely recognise that we need to go further to support parents, educators, practitioners and providers across the early learning and childcare sector, with the focus always on ensuring positive experiences for children. I will be developing an action plan to set out the important next steps that build on the very positive foundations we now have in place.”
Minister Foley
The Building Blocks Extension Scheme funds additional places through four categories
All early learning and childcare services were required to deliver net increases in full-time places for one to three-year-olds in order to qualify for Building Blocks funding.
In line with the State’s policy of universal accessibility for people with disabilities, early learning and childcare services getting Building Blocks funding are also required to incorporate Universal Design Guidelines for early learning and childcare services so premises can be used by children, parents and staff of all abilities.
All early learning and childcare services getting Building Blocks funding have provided a comprehensive construction plan that has outlined in detail all elements and stages of the proposed works. A team of architects at the Office of Public Works appraised the quality and readiness of the applications, and Pobal reviewed the evidence of need.
Minister Foley thanked the Office of Public Works and Pobal for assisting the Department of Children, Disability and Equality in the delivery of the Building Blocks scheme.
Minister Foley has contacted the successful services to advise them of the next steps. It is expected that the projects will commence in the coming months, with many of the additional places coming on stream to towards the end of the year.
The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is part of the wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the National Development Plan. It is the third capital scheme under the Building Blocks programme. It follows the Building Blocks Improvement Grant, delivered in 2023 and the Building Blocks Expansion Scheme, delivered in 2024
Minister Foley is currently considering the possibilities for future capital programmes, including potentially operating a Building Blocks type scheme next year to support the expansion of provision by existing providers, subject to budgetary provision. As soon as those details are finalised, there will be further communication with the sector.
Notes
Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme
Strand 1: Extensions to private services
Strand 2: Extensions to community services
Strand 3: Purchase of building to supplement an existing premises or to replace a leased premises (community only)
Strand 4: Construction of a new premises (community only)
As part of the application process, services were required to submit a Project Execution Plan, which sets out in detail the proposed work, along with the costings and timeframe for delivery of the project.
Applicants were required to deliver a certain minimum number of full-time places children aged 1-3 (pre-ECCE) in line with the value of the grant funding that they were seeking as set out below.
| Name of Service | Area | County | 0-3 Places to be delivered | Strand | Indicative allocation |
| Community Extension Strand | |||||
| Donoughmore Family Resource Centre | Donoughmore | Cork | 20 | Community Extension | €437,303 |
| Loughgraney Kids Corner | Feakle | Clare | 10 | Community Extension | €189,989 |
| Obair Newmarket-on-Fergus CLG | Newmarket-on-Fergus | Clare | 27 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Cois Ceim Crèche | Lisdoonvarna | Clare | 28 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Ballymachugh Childcare Group | Kilnaleck | Cavan | 27 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Shercock Child Resource Centre | Shercock | Cavan | 34 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Ballyjamesduff Community Crèche | Ballyjamesduff | Cavan | 30 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Creeslough Community Childcare Services | Creeslough | Donegal | 44 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Newbridge Family Resource Centre | Newbridge
|
Kildare | 30 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Bright Sparks | Allenwood | Kildare | 36 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Oasis | Freshford | Kilkenny | 41 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Urlingford Community Centre | Urlingford | Kilkenny | 12 | Community Extension | €226,187 |
| Duagh Childcare | Listowel | Kerry | 15 | Community Extension | €335,000 |
| The Hive | Summerhill | Meath | 18 | Community Extension | €289,564 |
| Clones Community Childcare | Clones | Monaghan | 20 | Community Extension | €366,382 |
| Cuain Bhríde | Four Mile House | Roscommon | 36 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Nenagh Childcare Centre | Nenagh | Tipperary | 27 | Community Extension | €492,595 |
| Happy Days Crèche | Ballyporeen | Tipperary | 17 | Community Extension | €117,360 |
| Lios na nÓg | Passage East | Waterford | 10 | Community Extension | €198,200 |
| Raheen Crèche | Raheen | Wexford | 25 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Teach na nÓg | Carrig on Bannow | Wexford | 10 | Community Extension | €199,590 |
| Riverside Early Childhood Centre | Limerick City | Limerick | 61 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Glor na nÓg | Aghamore | Mayo | 20 | Community Extension | €245,000 |
| Newbliss Childcare Services Ltd | Newbliss | Monaghan | 22 | Community Extension | €500,000 |
| Private Extension | |||||
| Magic Years Beechlawn | Clonsilla | Dublin | 18 | Private Extension | €250,000 |
| Acorn Crèche and Montessori | Naas | Kildare | 34 | Private Extension | €250,000 |
| Naoinra Montessori Lusk | Lusk | Dublin | 12 | Private Extension | €84,375 |
| Classes Afterschool | Cork City | Cork | 25 | Private Extension | €88,485 |
| The Learning Tree | Kilmacrennan | Donegal | 12 | Private Extension | €195,414 |
| Mary’s House Ballapousta | Ballapousta | Louth | 54 | Private Extension | €250,000 |
| Inis Óg Childcare | Inniskeane | Monaghan | 15 | Private Extension | €70,576 |
| Community Construction | |||||
| Banteer Community Childcare Services CLG (BCCS) | Banteer | Cork | 28 | Community Construction | €750,000 |
| Rainbow Childcare Crèche (Community Childcare Bantry) | Bantry | Cork | 35 | Community Construction | €750,000 |
| Rathoe Community Childcare | Rathoe | Carlow | 30 | Community Construction | €599,954 |
| Letterkenny Community Childcare CLG | Letterkenny | Donegal | 54 | Community Construction | €750,000 |
| Cherry Orchard Community Childcare Services Ltd | Cherry Orchard | Dublin | 40 | Community Construction | €750,000 |
| Little Voyagers Childcare | Tralee | Kerry | 39 | Community Construction | €750,000 |
| Banogue Community Crèche CLG | Croom | Limerick | 35 | Community Construction | €750,000 |
| Trim Community Childcare CLG | Trim | Meath | 51 | Community Construction | €750,000 |
| Tubbercurry Family & Childcare Resource Centre | Tubbercurry | Sligo | 33 | Community Construction | €695,085 |
| Boston Community Childcare Ltd | Tubber | Clare | 20 | Community Construction | €428,894 |
| Knockatallon Community Childcare CLG | Knockatallon | Monaghan | 45 | Community Construction | €750,000 |
| Ardaghey Community Childcare | Ardaghey | Monaghan | 38 | Community Construction | €750,000 |
| Birchgrove Childcare | Mountrath | Laois | 42 | Community Construction | €309,475 |
| Carrickroe Community Childcare | Carrickroe | Monaghan | 41 | Community Construction | €647,251 |
| Community Purchasing | |||||
| Askea Community Services | Carlow Town | Carlow | 36 | Community Purchasing | €750,000 |
| Eivers Lane Childcare | Mohill | Leitrim | 44 | Community Purchasing | €750,000 |
| Spraoi agus Spoirt | Carndonagh | Donegal | 55 | Community Purchasing | €750,000 |
| Krafty Kidz Ballyconnell | Ballyconnell | Cavan | 40 | Community Purchasing | €750,000 |
| Total | 1,496 | ||||
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley T.D., today announced the 2025 Childminding Development Grant awards, which will see 413 childminders across the country receive €411,338 in combined funding – the highest number of recipients and highest amount of funding ever awarded under the annual Grant scheme. The Minister’s support for the Grants reflects her ongoing commitment to the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-28.
The Minister said:
“Childminders are an essential part of our early learning and care and school-age childcare sector and of our local communities. I am delighted to be able to support an increase in the number of childminders benefiting from the Childminding Development Grant – and to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their service.
“The Childminding Development Grant is one of a range of supports provided to childminders through the National Action Plan for Childminding, which remains a priority for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. As a result of the new regulations introduced in 2024, childminders can now register with Tusla and parents who use childminders can now benefit from the National Childcare Scheme.”
The Childminding Development Grant aims to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) and the Arts, as well as IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes.
The Grants were open to all childminders, including those planning to open a childminding business in 2025. 75% of the grant is paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.
Successful applicants will receive information about their grant awards over the coming days.
The increase in the number of awards reflects the rising demand for the Grant among childminders. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to support childminders to prepare for registration with Tusla. In line with the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, regulations written specifically for childminders came into effect for the first time in September 2024, making it possible for all childminders to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
Those childminders who were previously exempt from regulation have a three-year transition period until 2027 during which they are now able to register with Tusla but are not yet required to do so.
For further information about the National Action Plan for Childminding, see www.gov.ie/childminding
ENDS/
A breakdown of grants by county is included in the table below:
| City / County Childcare Committee area | Number of successful applicants | Total € Amount of grants by CCC area |
| Carlow | 11 | €11,000 |
| Cavan | 17 | €16,700 |
| Clare | 19 | €19,000 |
| Cork City | 11 | €11,000 |
| Cork County | 22 | €22,000 |
| Donegal | 12 | €12,000 |
| Dublin City | 12 | €12,000 |
| Dún Laoghaire Rathdown | 17 | €16,900 |
| Fingal | 26 | €26,000 |
| Galway | 25 | €24,500 |
| Kerry | 19 | €19,000 |
| Kildare | 11 | €11,000 |
| Kilkenny | 5 | €5,000 |
| Laois | 5 | €5,000 |
| Leitrim | 3 | €3,000 |
| Limerick | 35 | €35,000 |
| Longford | 3 | €3,000 |
| Louth | 9 | €9,000 |
| Mayo | 16 | €16,000 |
| Meath | 21 | €20,990 |
| Monaghan | 11 | €11,000 |
| Offaly | 4 | €4,000 |
| Roscommon | 10 | €10,000 |
| Sligo | 11 | €10,850 |
| South Dublin | 18 | €18,000 |
| Tipperary | 12 | €12,000 |
| Waterford | 14 | €13,998 |
| Westmeath | 10 | €9,400 |
| Wexford | 10 | €10,000 |
| Wicklow | 14 | €14,000 |
| Totals | 413 | €411,338 |
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, together with Minister of State for Charities, Gaeltacht and the Islands & Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, today announced the launch of this year’s My Little Library free book bag for almost 60,000 children starting primary school.
Each year, every one of the almost 60,000 children leaving pre-school and starting primary school are invited to visit their local library to pick up a free book bag and take the opportunity to join the library.
The My Little Library initiative 2025 is expected to lead to tens of thousands of families picking up their book bags and joined their local library. Since its launch, an average of 20,000 4-5 year olds have joined their local libraries annually.
The books and resources in the book bag, which is available in both English and ‘as Gaeilge’, support parents and their children in the transition to primary school.
From 9th of May 2025, all children completing the free universal pre-school Early Childhood Care and Education Programme and starting primary school are invited to visit their local library and pick up a free book bag. The bags will be available throughout the summer. All families are welcomed to join the library if they are not already members.
Minister Foley said she was pleased to announce the 2025 My Little Library initiative.
“Reading is a magical gift and it is great to give children the opportunity to develop a love of reading from a young age. Many parents may not be aware that every child about to enter primary school is eligible for their free My Little Library book bag. That’s why I am urging every family with a child starting primary school this September to pick up their Little Library book bag from their local library.
The transition from pre-school to primary school is such an important moment for every child in Ireland. Books and stories support connection between parents and their children. They also promote early language and literacy development which is crucial for children’s success in early childhood and beyond. “
Minister Buttimer said today:
“I warmly welcome the launch of the 2025 My Little Library Initiative. I know that the library staff across the country share my enthusiasm for connecting young families with our excellent national library service.
“Books and stories are a lovely way of helping parents support their children with their learning journey and becoming a library member gives lifelong access to the joy of books and reading.”
My Little Library is run in association with the Local Government Management Agency and delivered by local authorities. It is a collaboration between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Rural and Community Development, and Local Government Ireland.
The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today published the First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2024.
First 5, the ten-year Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families was published in November 2018. The strategy includes 125 actions to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families in their “First 5” years of life. The strategy is delivered by a wide variety of stakeholders whose contributions are vital to its success including ten Government Departments, the HSE, Tusla, as well as 31 delivery partners.
The report published today summarises recent progress in implementing the strategy, with 56% of all 2024 commitments met at this point and 95% expected to be met by year end. In particular, the report details €1.3 billion of investment for early learning and childcare, which builds on the €1 billion investment target that was met in 2023, five years earlier than anticipated
The report contains details on all the milestones reached so far, as all Departments, Agencies, Partners, and stakeholders work together to implement the First 5 Big Steps. Some of the key achievements from 2024 that have already been achieved include:
Speaking about today’s publication, Minister Foley said she was pleased with the: “considerable progress that has been made to deliver on the commitments in the First 5 Strategy by Government departments, state agencies and the community and voluntary sector.”
“I believe a lot can be accomplished in this term of Government to improve services and supports to young children in their “First 5” years of life. Our new Programme for Government includes important steps to improve accessibility and affordability of early learning and childcare, to professionalise its workforce, improve quality and to alleviate childhood poverty.”
“As we move towards the final phase of implementation of the First 5 Strategy, I strongly believe that we can create positive change to ensure all children can get the best start in life and reach their full potential. I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to bring us closer to this reality.”
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 for 2024 include:
A broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring
A new model of parenting support
New developments in child health
Reform of the Early Learning and Care system
A package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty and disadvantage
