providers as to whether there are plans to review the core funding programme to ensure that funding reflects the increasing costs faced by childcare providers and if consideration will be given to increasing funding and, where necessary, allowing providers greater flexibility to adjust fees to ensure the continued
Search the record
Every word spoken in the Dáil and every parliamentary question asked, matched on word forms as well as exact spelling, so "housing" also finds "houses".
Narrow it down: a TD or a date range
25+ in debates · 25+ in questions · page 30
In debates
concerned to continue to develop the scheme in order that it can support providers to deliver high-quality early learning and childcare to children that is sustainable. I think that is the rub of the Deputy's question - sustainability.
To address concerns surrounding service sustainability, targeted measures including
hour less per day. That parent contacted me to say they are being charged €93 extra per month. That is because the childcare provider no longer receives the subsidy for that one hour per day. Yet the parent, who is now putting their child in for one hour
more of the childminders on board, recognising their invaluable work and the important contribution they make to early learning and childcare. Specifically, in terms of the building blocks and the scheme that is there, a large proportion of the projects supported through building blocks have been in rural
Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the eight locations for State-led childcare facilities. [66144/26
Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures she is considering in budget 2027 to expand childcare capacity, particularly in rural areas experiencing significant shortages of places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65983/26
struggling. There are many aspects to the cost-of-living crisis. There is the cost of accommodation and housing, the cost of childcare, the cost of public transport and the cost of groceries and food but a critical issue for hundreds of thousands of people, and for everybody
These multinational companies should be taxed more broadly. We cannot continue to pretend that we can have public services such as a State childcare system, healthcare and so on without taxing wealth. We cannot continue to allow these companies
start by saying this to everybody who is impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, the cost of energy, childcare, the failure of wages to keep pace with the cost of living, inflation, the cost of groceries and by the inequity we see highlighted in this motion
focus now, coming into the budget, is to have a range of supports to try to protect people. We will also look at childcare and the disability sector in terms of easing the burden. However, I think it has to be targeted and focused on those
means paying for uniforms, shoes, devices, transport, college fees and so-called voluntary contributions. That is on top of already extortionate rents, mortgages, childcare, groceries and energy bills. Yes, extending the fuel supports will help but it will not help enough.
The most frustrating thing is that this
Wonderland stuff.
The cost-of-living crisis goes far beyond the price at the pump. The ever-increasing cost of housing, groceries, childcare and electricity has made paying for the basics a nightmare in this country. A constituent recently contacted me to share her struggles, a story that
Government underestimated the scale of this crisis. It is completely out of touch. We have the highest electricity costs, third level fees, childcare costs and very likely the highest healthcare costs in the EU as well. Most GPs have put their prices up to €70 over the summer
months. There is a cost-of-living crisis. We need to support families, workers, farmers, businesses and hauliers when it comes to childcare, the back-to-school supports we have already introduced, and targeted energy and fuel bills. This should be done not just by supporting subsidies
such an entry point. We are below where other countries are, so I am sympathetic to that argument. On the issue of childcare, we have to fulfil the programme for Government commitment of getting to €200 per month per child over the next four years
education and mitigating the socioeconomic barriers to education. A culture of lifelong learning must be encouraged by removing financial barriers and investing in childcare and public services across the island. Fulfilling investment commitments, as outlined in the national development plan and ensuring timely delivery of infrastructure such
water quality programme for Lough Neagh, €30 million to complete the Ulster Canal, and €13.5 million for early learning and childcare, including 1,000 upskilling places for early years educators. That is what practical co-operation looks like. It benefits communities North and South today, irrespective
regulations to provide that only those over 16 years of age can use e-scooters and e-bikes.
Deputy Martin Daly - to discuss childcare provision in Boyle, County Roscommon.
Deputy Emer Currie - to discuss a school building project in Dublin 7.
Deputy Ryan O'Meara - to discuss
need to be? We also need to look at the range of powers and options available to Tusla under the early years and childcare legislation and regulations as to what can be done to ensure compliance with those regulations. More fundamentally, we may need to look at revising
this, parents might either have to leave their job or find an alternative, possibly unregulated or unsuitable, education setting for their children.
Tigers Childcare and Nexus Preschool provide a full daycare service, as the Deputies alluded to, which opened in 2024. The service is registered to provide care
parents. Parents in this State pay the highest rents in Europe. They pay some of the highest energy costs. They pay the highest childcare costs. There is no sign of those costs being reduced. There are plenty of things outlined in the motion - they have been outlined
rising bills across every aspect of daily life. Parents are not just paying for education. They are paying more for food, energy, insurance, childcare and gach rud eile.
One issue that deserves particular attention is the cost of extracurricular activities. Too often, participation in these activities depends
other lots of land. There are State services on the land. One hundred people are working in different services in Bessborough. There is childcare there, and so forth. It has been an active area of human activity for a long time
constituency and others have seen a huge number of childcare providers leaving the core funding scheme because of the fee freeze, which is kind of a financial straitjacket, with staffing taking up 7% and a lot of huge costs. Meanwhile, the newer ones are able to set much
That Act is important because it has changed the landscape and legal obligation of mandated people, including teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers and childcare staff, who are now legally obliged to notify and assist Tusla where there is a risk of significant harm to the child. That
In parliamentary questions
Liam Quaide
Written
consideration is being given to targeted tax measures for families with children, particularly school-age children, in light of the continuing pressure of childcare, housing and household costs. [26050/26
Malcolm Byrne
Written
Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to making childcare costs tax deductible given they are a necessary expense for workers. [26403/26
Liam Quaide
Written
assistants to be taken in fixed blocks rather than in a more flexible pattern that reflects the realities of modern family life and childcare needs; and whether reform is under consideration. [26042/26
Liam Quaide
Written
Education and Youth whether she accepts that the limited flexibility available under current parental leave arrangements places particular pressure on school staff with childcare responsibilities; and if she will outline any engagement her Department has had with unions or staff representatives on possible reforms. [26044/26
Liam Quaide
Written
sharing scheme, including timetabling arrangements that may still spread attendance across five days, undermines its usefulness for parents trying to manage childcare responsibilities. [26047/26
Liam Quaide
Written
being given to compensatory cost-of-living supports for families with children, particularly school-age children, in light of the continuing pressure of childcare, housing and household costs. [26574/26
John Connolly
Written
provide the accompanying sum of monies in 2026 for a future round of pay improvements for staff working in the early years, childcare and pre-school sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23757/26
John Lahart
Written
which an area (details supplied) can take advantage of the capital investment her Department has provided to build or purchase State-owned childcare facilities to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. [23773/26
Paula Butterly
Written
Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to respond to correspondence received (details supplied) in relation to reported increases in childcare fees being applied by some providers; the measures her Department is taking to ensure that fee caps are adhered to and that parents
Roderic O'Gorman
Written
Department’s plans to rollout an apprenticeship model for early learning and care education; when she expects to see the first childcare apprentices enrolling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24887/26
Barry Ward
Written
Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to a shortfall in the provision of childcare places in the Dún Laoghaire area in south County Dublin; the actions she is taking to increase availability in this area
Barry Ward
Written
Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to a shortfall in the provision of childcare places in the Shankill area in south County Dublin; the actions she is taking to increase availability in this area; and if she will
Barry Ward
Written
Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to a shortfall in the provision of childcare places in the Blackrock area in south County Dublin; the actions she is taking to increase availability in this area; and if she will
Barry Ward
Written
Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration is being given to provide targeted support for childcare providers in parts of the country where the rent of commercial premises is significantly higher than the national average; and if she will make a statement
Barry Ward
Written
Children, Disability and Equality if consideration is being given to provide targeted support for people or companies that wish to open new childcare centres in parts of the country where the rent of commercial premises is significantly higher than the national average; and if she will make
Barry Ward
Written
Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she is taking to increase the number of childcare places available at a national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25143/26
Barry Ward
Written
position regarding any research being done at a national level to identify areas that are experiencing a shortfall in the availability of childcare places on a consistent basis; the mechanisms by which this is evaluated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25144/26
Barry Ward
Written
Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the legal basis that would allow childcare facilities to charge parents a non-refundable deposit; if this is permitted, if there is an upper cap on the price that can be charged in this
Johnny Guirke
Written
Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider acquiring a property (details supplied) under the early learning and childcare capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25330/26
Roderic O'Gorman
Written
Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare services that applied to the extended building blocks scheme; the number of those that were granted their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25352/26
Denise Mitchell
Written
Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the issue of core funding for early years and childcare settings given the increasing number of creches withdrawing from the scheme; if she is considering increasing core funding; if any other measures are being
Barry Heneghan
Written
Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers in Dublin that have withdrawn from or indicated an intention to withdraw from the core funding scheme in 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by county and by service type
Barry Heneghan
Written
Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she acknowledges the concerns raised by childcare providers and parents regarding the operation of the core funding scheme, particularly in circumstances where providers have indicated that participation is no longer financially viable due to fee caps
Joe Neville
Written
Neville asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department can confirm that, where it can be demonstrated that a childcare provider was unable to access, complete or accept a core funding agreement due to failures within the hive system, errors in provider data
Emer Currie
Written
Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has considered a location for the State-led childcare programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25759/26
Want to see how often it came up over time? Follow “childcare” month by month.