Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
189. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total funding provided for childcare in each Budget between 2016 and 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35558/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is committed to ensuring high quality early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) is accessible and affordable as demonstrated by unprecedented increases in State investment in recent years.
In Budget 2026 the Department secured a budget allocation of €1,524m in funding for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC). 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 table below sets out the total funding allocated to ELC and SAC from 2016 to 2026.
|
Year |
Supplementary Budget Allocation? |
|
2026 |
€1,524m |
|
2025 |
€1,375m |
|
2024 |
€1,159m |
|
2023 |
€1,005m |
|
2022 |
€730m? |
|
2021 |
€640m |
|
2020 |
€590m? |
|
2019 |
€571m |
|
2018 |
€515m |
|
2017 |
€466m |
|
2016 |
€344m |
Notes:
The Supplementary Budget allocation figures include funding for dormant accounts.
This includes €707m investment plus once off €23m in Covid-19 supports.
This includes €481m investment plus once off €109m in Covid-19 supports.
