Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
641. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the breakdown of the current funding streams in childcare; the breakdown of the additional funding provided in Budget 2026, in tabular form; the expected funding required in 2027 to maintain existing levels of service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51149/26]
View answerThis Department operates a range of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) funding schemes. These funding schemes, including ECCE, NCS, AIM and Core Funding, are administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department. In Budget 2026 the Department secured an additional €149m in funding for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC), bringing the total investment in the sector to €1,524m in 2026. This will allow this Department to bring forward a substantial and comprehensive package of developments to achieve significant progress on its policy priorities of affordable, high quality, inclusive and sustainable ELC and SAC.
The Budget allocation in the sector in Ireland increased by 10.8% with €1.37bn allocated for 2025 and €1.524bn allocated for 2026 as set out below:
|
- |
2025 |
2026 |
|
|
€m |
€m |
|
NCS & CCS Savers |
534 |
596 |
|
Core Funding |
353 |
420 |
|
Equal Start |
17 |
22 |
|
ECCE |
269 |
259 |
|
AIM |
81 |
84 |
|
|
|
|
|
Quality & Admin Supports[[1]] |
121 |
143 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
1,375 |
1,524 |
Additional funding of €11m (2025) and €11m (2026) was available in respect of International Protection applicants and people coming from Ukraine.
Budget 2027 is a matter impinging on collective Government responsibility and as such the Department cannot provide a response at this time.
[[1]] The Quality & Admin Supports includes the capital allocations of €30m for 2025 and of €44m for 2026.
