Claire Kerrane
Ceist:87. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the action plan on childcare will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71910/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 December 2025
Ceisteanna (87)
Freagraí scríofa
Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 Report was published on 17th December 2025.
Shaping the Future sets out the next steps in delivery of the key commitments in the Programme for Government to improve affordability, quality, and access in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC). While the Action Plan is ambitious in outlook and it will take the full lifetime of the Government to complete, the issues it addresses are affecting families, providers and educators here and now. There is a need for rapid action. That is why we are using a phased approach.
This publication sets out Phase 1 actions, which will be carried out in 2026 using existing policy tools. In fact, progress has already been made. In September 2025 maximum fee caps were extended to all Partner Services in Core Funding – an important step towards the ambition of reducing parental fees to a maximum of €200 per month over the lifetime of this Government.
2026 actions on affordability will include further reduction in some of the highest fees paid by parents by lowering the maximum fees that Core Funding Partner Services can charge. In addition, from autumn 2026 we will reduce fees for lower-income families through the National Childcare Scheme, to ensure that families with incomes below the relative income poverty line receive the maximum subsidies.
Phase 1 actions will include increasing supply through investment in State-led ELC and SAC services as well as co-funding the expansion of existing providers. The allocation for Core Funding will be increased to €482m for programme year 2026-27 (an increase of up to 23%) to support capacity growth in the sector and sustainability of providers, and to support providers to meet the costs of increases in staff minimum wage rates through a possible 2026 round of negotiations for new Employment Regulation Orders.
To enhance the quality of provision, during 2026 comprehensive regulations will be introduced for School-Age Childcare services as part of a wider revision of regulations.
Phase 2 actions will be undertaken from 2027 to 2029. While we need to make progress quickly, the actions we take must be sustainable, underpinned by public consultation and research, and delivered in a way that supports families, the workforce and service providers. That is why a broad public consultation will be undertaken, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to inform the identification of further actions. Phase 2 actions will be published later in 2026.
There is a lot to be done, but I look forward to working with all stakeholders to move towards an ELC and SAC system that is of high quality, affordable and accessible for all, supporting children, families, educators, and providers.