Annual Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Forum 2026 to focus on Building a Love of Numeracy: From Play to Empowered Problem Solving

The annual Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Forum is taking place today (Thursday, 17 September) with a special focus on ways to address mathematics anxiety among children and young people.

The forum, which is being held at the Law Society of Ireland’s headquarters in Blackhall Place in Dublin reinforces the importance of a positive relationship with numeracy from the earliest years.

A key aim of Ireland’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033 is to enhance children’s and young people’s literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills to help them navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

This year’s Forum will feature Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Associate Professor in Mathematics Education alongside a series of practical workshops led by experts from early years, primary and post-primary education.

Session will explore innovative approaches to mathematics teaching and learning, strategies to build numeracy confidence, and ways to address mathematics anxiety among children and young people.

Minister for Children Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said:

“Confidence in numeracy starts early, through play, curiosity and positive experience. This forum is about turning ambition into practical action and ensuring that children are supported to develop a lifelong confidence in numeracy.

“We want children to see numeracy as a playground for their ideas, not a source of anxiety. The foundations we build in early years can shape how children feel about numeracy for years to come.

Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton said:

“A positive relationship with numeracy can open doors for children and young people, helping them to develop the confidence and skills they need to thrive in school and throughout their lives. Whether it is managing finances, understanding information, solving problems or pursuing further study and careers, numeracy plays a vital role.

“Through our Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033, we are committed to ensuring that every learner is supported to reach their full potential in numeracy. I am delighted that today’s forum will showcase innovative practice from schools and provide an opportunity for educators to share approaches that help build confidence, reduce mathematics anxiety and support successful learning outcomes for all students.”

The event built on the success of last year’s forum held in Dublin Castle in April 2025.

The keynote speaker and workshops this year included:

• Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shuilleabhaín, Institute of Education, Dublin City University
• Dr. Sandra O’Neill, Síolta Aistear Team Lead with Better Start
• Róisín Neururer, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University College Dublin
• Julie Winget Power, Programme Coordinator and lecturer on the BA Early Childhood Education and Care Programme in Dublin’s Technology University
• Breed Murphy and Dr. Claire Carroll, Mary Immaculate College
• Dr Siún Nic Mhuirí, Institute of Education Dublin City University and Jennifer Holligan, St Cronan’s SNS, Swords and the Institute of Education Dublin City University.

Participants also heard from Early Learning and Care settings and schools that showcased inspiring numeracy initiatives and their positive impact on learners.

There were presentations from:

• CASPr Early Years, North East Inner City, Dublin.
• St. Mary’s National School, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
• Newport College, County Tipperary.

Ireland’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 20242033: Every Learner from Birth to Young Adulthood

Barnardo’s Early Numeracy

Background

Ireland’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033: Every Learner from Birth to Young Adulthood builds on the achievements and ambition of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2011-2020 and the 2017 interim review. The strategy continues the journey to nurture and enhance literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills from birth to young adulthood to ensure that every individual is equipped with the essential skills to navigate and succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

The areas for development and action, as identified in the strategy, span five pillars:

Pillar 1: Enabling parents and communities to support learners’ literacy, numeracy and digital literacy.

Pillar 2: Supporting the professional practice of early years educators, childminders and teachers.

Pillar 3: Supporting leadership in early learning and care and in the school system.

Pillar 4: Improving the learner experience through curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.

Pillar 5: Supporting diverse learners to achieve their potential.

A comprehensive five-year implementation plan has been developed which serves as the blueprint that transforms the strategy into actionable steps. It outlines the specific actions and initiatives that will be undertaken. Measuring the success of the strategy will be a continuous process.

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today announced a €1.36 million once-off capital investment in Ireland’s network of 136 Family Resource Centres (FRCs).

Providing each of Ireland’s 136 Family Resource Centres with a once-off capital allocation of €10,000 in 2026.

Under the initiative, every Family Resource Centre will receive €10,000 to support locally identified capital, premises, equipment, ICT and infrastructure priorities.

The funding provides FRCs with flexibility to identify the investments that will make the greatest difference to the children, families and communities they serve.

The announcement builds on the Government’s significant investment in the Family Resource Centre Programme. Budget 2026 increased the minimum annual core funding level for FRCs from €160,000 to €180,000, while the establishment of 10 additional centres this year brought the national network to 136.

Announcing the funding, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley said:

Kate Duggan, Chief Executive of Tusla – Child and Family Agency, welcomed the announcement:

Gerry Hone, National Director of Services and Integration of Tusla said:

The €10,000 allocation can support a broad range of capital and once-off expenditure, including minor building works and refurbishment; accessibility, health and safety and security improvements; furniture and fittings; equipment; ICT hardware and infrastructure; telecommunications and digital equipment; software, digital systems and associated licensing costs; and energy-efficiency or sustainability improvements.

The criteria are intentionally broad to allow individual FRCs to respond to their particular local circumstances and priorities.

The funding cannot be used for staffing costs, including salaries, wages, overtime or allowances.

All funding must be fully expended by 31 December 2026 and appropriately accounted for within the 2026 financial year.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• A county-by-county breakdown of the 136 Family Resource Centres receiving funding under the €1.36 million once-off capital investment programme is attached.
• The Family Resource Centre Programme is administered by Tusla – Child and Family Agency. Following the establishment of ten additional FRCs in February 2026, there are 136 Family Resource Centres nationally.
• Budget 2026 increased the minimum annual core funding level for FRCs from €160,000 to €180,000, alongside funding for the expansion of the national network.
• The new once-off allocation provides €10,000 to each of the 136 FRCs, representing a total investment of €1.36 million.
• The allocation must be expended during 2026 and cannot be used for staffing costs. Expenditure will be accounted for through FRC management and audited accounts and monitored through existing Monitoring and Performance Review arrangements.

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley has welcomed important changes to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) today which will provide increased childcare subsidies for up to 47,000 children.

The National Childcare Scheme provides two types of financial support to help families reduce the cost of early learning and childcare.

All eligible families may apply for a Universal subsidy, regardless of family income, which is worth up to €96.30 per week, for a maximum of 45 weekly hours.

Alternatively, families may qualify for a higher Income-Assessed subsidy which varies depending on family circumstances, including income level and number of children under the age of 15.

From today (31 August 2026), the income thresholds used to calculate Income-Assessed subsidies will increase. This means that an estimated 47,000 families will qualify for higher subsidy rates, helping to make early learning and childcare more affordable.

Commenting on these changes, Minister Norma Foley said:

The changes to how income-assessed awards are calculated under the National Childcare Scheme form part of the Government’s commitments under the Early Years Action Plan, Shaping the Future to bring down the cost of early learning and childcare for families.

In total, over €528 million will be paid to families this year under the National Childcare Scheme, out of total state investment of almost €1.5 billion in the early learning and childcare sector.

As part of the changes, the lower income threshold has increased from €26,000 to €34,000, so families now earning €34,000 or less will be able to qualify for the maximum subsidy rate.

For example, a family with a reckonable income of €34,000 will now receive a rate of €5.10 per hour for a child aged between 24-52 weeks. Prior to these changes, that same family would have received €4.40 per hour.

The upper income threshold will increase from €60,000 to €68,000, meaning that families now earning up to €68,000 will be able to avail of a higher income assessed rate. For example, a family with a reckonable income of €60,000 will now receive a rate of €2.84 per hour for a child aged between 24-52 weeks, compared to €2.14 per hour previously.

As a result of these changes, all existing income assessed subsidy recipients with an income between €26,000 and €60,000 will see an increase in their subsidy rate.

The Multiple Child Discount will also increase. This means that a lower income is used to assess subsidy entitlements, enabling many families to receive a higher hourly subsidy rate.

The Multiple Child Discount will increase from €4,300 to €5,500 for families with two children and from €8,600 to €11,000 for families with three or more children.

The multiple child discount reduces parents’ reckonable income for the Income Assessed subsidy, so for example, the parents of 3 children with income of €78,000 would have the multiple child discount of €11,000 applied, thereby bringing their reckonable income down to €67,000 which is within the new thresholds.

Families who currently avail of a Universal subsidy are encouraged to visit www.ncs.gov.ie and use the ‘Subsidy Calculator’ to check their entitlements and see whether they would benefit by applying for a higher Income Assessed rate and, if so, apply for an Income Assessed award.

The Scheme Administrator, Pobal, is communicating directly with existing National Childcare Scheme applicants regarding the upcoming changes.

Existing Income-Assessed awards will be updated automatically where applicable. Affected applicants will be notified once their award has been updated.

Further information is available at https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/latest-news/.

ENDS

1. What is changing?

From 31 August 2026, the income thresholds used to calculate Income Assessed subsidies will increase along with the Multiple Child Discount, as follows:

• The income assessed lower threshold will increase from €26,000 to €34,000 and the upper threshold will increase from €60,000 to €68,000
• The Multiple Child Discount for two children under fifteen will increase from €4,300 to €5,500 and for three or more children, the discount will increase from €8,600 to €11,000.

2. How are the new rates calculated?

• Income-Assessed awards are calculated based on a family’s individual circumstances. A number of factors determine an income-assessed rate including the family’s reckonable income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in a family.
• Reckonable income is the income that is assessed when a family applies for the NCS. It is the family income, including Department of Social Protection payments (such as Child Benefit, Jobseeker’s Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, less tax, PRSI, USC and any allowable items under the Scheme (such as the Multiple Child Discount).
• Given these factors, the resulting rate varies significantly depending on family circumstances. Families are encouraged to use the Childcare Subsidy Calculator available on www.ncs.gov.ie to generate an estimate as to what rate they may be eligible for.

3. Do families need to do anything?

It depends on which NCS award a family is currently availing of:

• Families who already have an Income Assessed award will have this recalculated using the new Multi Child Discount and NCS Thresholds. This will be done automatically, and affected applicants will be notified once their existing award has been updated.
• Families who have a Universal award should check if they qualify for a higher rate subsidy using the calculator on the NCS website www.ncs.gov.ie. This should help applicants decide whether it is worth applying for an Income Assessed award instead.

4. Will families see an increase to their NCS subsidy?

• Many families receiving an Income Assessed subsidy will see an increase in their rate. The amount will depend on the individual family circumstances including reckonable income, age and number of children in the household.

5. Will families who receive the Universal Subsidy see an increase in their rate?

• The upcoming enhancements relate to Income Assessed awards only. Families receiving the Universal Subsidy will continue to receive €2.14 per hour – or up to €96.30 per week
• It is advised that Universal applicants check whether they qualify for a higher subsidy in light of these changes using the Subsidy Calculator on www.ncs.gov.ie. If the calculator indicates the Universal applicants may benefit from a higher rate, they may then wish to apply for an Income Assessed subsidy instead.
• It is important to note that if a Universal applicant submits a new Income Assessed application, it will end the existing subsidy and they must give the new CHICK to their childcare provider as soon as it is received. Failure to do so may result in a gap in subsidy which could result in additional childcare fees. Further information is available on www.ncs.gov.ie/latest-news

6. Do families still need to renew their award if it expires before 31 August?

• These changes do not affect the normal renewal process. If an Income-Assessed award is due to expire before 31 August 2026, families should renew their application in the usual way before it expires to ensure that their childcare subsidy continues without interruption. The changes outlined above will be reflected, if applicable, on the new award.
• When their renewal is approved, applicants will receive a new CHICK for each child detailed in the application. It is important that the family provide the new CHICK to their childcare provider as soon as possible. This allows the provider to register the updated award and ensure that subsidies continue to be applied. Delays in this process could lead to a gap in subsidy and additional fees that are not covered by the Scheme.