Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
825. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on childcare supports for children under the ECCE age range; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71780/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst 5 is Ireland’s Whole-of-Government Strategy for babies, young children and their families. It focuses on the period of early childhood, from the antenatal period to age five, and takes a joined-up, cross-government approach to supporting babies, young children and their families during these critical early years.
The Strategy has a pivotal focus on providing a broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring. First 5 seeks to support parents to be at home for the child's first year, based on research evidence that suggests that children benefit particularly from parental care in the first year of life.
Under First 5, from 1 July 2022, Parent’s Leave and Benefit of seven weeks per parent was introduced. It was further increased to nine weeks per parent per child with effect from August 2024. The combined durations of Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Leave and Benefit now equate to 46 weeks of paid leave for a two-parent family. This is supplemented by an entitlement to 16 weeks of unpaid Maternity Leave, 26 weeks of unpaid parental leave per parent as well as annual leave entitlements.
Further supports will be considered in the context of the development of the new First 5 Implementation Plan for 2026-2028, in line with the Programme for Government commitments to both examine the extension of Parent’s Leave and Benefit and to introduce Pay Related Parent’s Benefit.
Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan Phase 1 Report will also be published on 17th December 2025. It sets out the next steps in delivery of the key commitments in the Programme for Government to improve affordability, quality, and access of both Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare in the form of a subsidy paid directly to the childcare provider. Subsidies are available for children between 24 weeks and 15 years of age at a minimum rate of €2.14 per hour, available for up to 45 weekly hours. Depending on the family’s income, there are additional income assessed subsidies available. All Tusla registered providers are eligible to offer the National Childcare Scheme and avail of the supports the subsidy provides.
