As part of the National Conversation on Education: the First 5 years and School-Age Childcare, the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality (DCDE) is undertaking a public consultation process on the future of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) including childminding. This broad consultation process seeks views not only from early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners and childminders, but also from parents, providers, and community members. Input gathered during the National Conversation will inform both Phase 2 of Shaping the Future—the Government’s Early Years Action Plan—and the successor to the First 5 Strategy, Ireland’s Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.
The consultation process has a number of channels designed to facilitate the participation of a wide range of stakeholders. These include a national online survey on ELC and SAC, which has now closed and received 11,724 responses. The large majority of responses were from parents and there were also responses from providers, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders, academics and other stakeholders.
In addition, a survey of a nationally representative sample of parents was conducted through a telephone poll of 500 households with children under 14 years of age, seeking parents’ experiences and perspectives on early learning and childcare. An art-based engagement exercise with children also formed part of the consultation process.
54 consultation events took place took place between 20 and 30 April. These events were organised in collaboration with the City and County Childcare Committees. 53 were local in-person events (with at least one in every county) and one was an online consultation session which took place through the Irish language. The large majority of events were held in the evening to facilitate attendance by working parents, providers, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners and childminders. Registration for events was not restricted to participants’ local area, and attendees were free to register for events in other locations where this better suited their availability. A full list of the local consultation events held is set out in a table below.
The local consultation events were formally announced through a Departmental press release issued on 26 March 2026, which was carried in a number of regional and national media outlets. The full text of the press release is available online (at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/press-releases/lets-talk-early-years-minister-foley-launches-the-national-conversation-on-education-the-first-five-years-and-school-age-childcare/). The Department and the City and County Childcare Committees also issued social media posts encouraging parents, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders, providers, and others with an interest in the future of ELC and SAC to share their views by attending the consultation events.
In addition, the Department undertook targeted engagement and outreach with a range of relevant representative and stakeholder organisations to encourage and support local participation. This included engagement with member organisations of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF), which were asked to disseminate information through their respective networks and to encourage participation at local level.
A national consultation event, the Shaping the Future National Forum: Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, will also take place later in the year.
It should be noted that the ELCSF continues to be the main consultation mechanism between the Department’s ELC/SAC Division and stakeholders in the ELC and SAC sector, and this will remain the case throughout the development of Shaping the Future Phase 2. The primary focus of upcoming ELCSF meetings will be consultation on the development of Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan. While ELCSF members could also participate in the other elements of the consultation process, including the local consultation events and the national forum, ELCSF meetings provide a key forum for stakeholders to inform the planning process.
The feedback gathered through the consultation process will inform Phase 2 of Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan and will also support the development of the successor to First 5, Ireland’s whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families (2019–2028). The Department will continue to engage closely with the sector as this work progresses.
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City / County Childcare Committee area
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Day and Date
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Full name of venue
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Address (Incl Eircode)
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Time - start and
end time
|
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Carlow
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Tuesday, 28th April
|
Woodford Dolmen Hotel
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Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Ireland, R93 N207
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7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
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Cavan
|
Thursday 23rd April
|
Kilmore Hotel
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Dublin Rd. Cavan H12 F6Y7
|
7:00pm -
9:00pm
|
|
Clare
|
Wednesday, 29th April
|
Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis
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The Square, Ennis, Co, Clare V5HOXK
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6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Cork City
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Tuesday, 28th April
|
Clayton Hotel Silver Springs
|
Tivoli, Cork T23E244
|
6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
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Cork County
|
Monday, 20th April
|
Charleville Park Hotel & Leisure Centre
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Limerick Road, Charleville, Co. Cork P56 V268
|
6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Cork County
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Tuesday, 21st April
|
Talbot Hotel
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Old Cork Road, Midleton, Co. Cork P25 AX67
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6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Cork County
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Monday, 27th April
|
The Maritime Hotel
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The Quay, Bantry, West Cork P75 XW35
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6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Cork County
|
Tuesday, 28th April
|
Castle Hotel & Leisure Centre
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Main Street, Macroom, Co. Cork P12ED78
|
6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Dublin City
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Tuesday, 21st April
|
DCCC Training room
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OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A
ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3
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10.30am –
12.30pm
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Dublin City
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Saturday, 25th April
|
DCCC Training Room
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OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A
ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3
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10.00am-12.00pm
|
|
Dublin City
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Saturday, 25th April
|
DCCC Training Room
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OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A
ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3
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1pm-3pm
|
|
Dublin City
|
Wednesday, 29th of April
|
DCCC Training room
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OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A
ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3
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10.00am –
12.00pm
|
|
Dublin City
|
Wednesday, 29th April
|
DCCC Training Room
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OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A
ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3
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1pm-3pm
|
|
Dublin City
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Thursday, 30th April
|
DCCC Training Room
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OCEAN HOUSE, BLOCK A
ARRAN COURT ARRAN QUAY DUBLIN 7 D07DHT3
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6pm-8pm
|
|
Dublin South
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Tuesday, 21st April
|
Green Isle Hotel
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Dublin 22
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10:30pm -
12:30pm
|
|
Dublin South
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Tuesday, 28th of April
|
Green Isle Hotel
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Dublin 22
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5.30pm-
8.00pm
|
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Donegal
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Wednesday, 22nd of April
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Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town
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Diamond, Donegal, F94 AP8W
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6:00pm -
8:00pm
|
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Donegal
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Thursday, 23rd of April
|
Dillon's Hotel, Letterkenny
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27 Upper Main St,
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 E30F
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6:00pm -
8:00pm
|
|
Donegal
|
Wednesday, 29th of April
|
Inishowen Gateway Hotel
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Railway Rd, Ballymacarry Lower, Buncrana, Co.
Donegal, F93 PPH9
|
6:00pm -
8:00pm
|
|
Fingal
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Monday, 20th of April
|
The Riasc Centre
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Feltrim Road, Swords, Co Dublin, K67 PX85
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3:00pm -
5:00pm
|
|
Fingal
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Monday, 20th of April
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The Riasc Centre
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Feltrim Road, Swords, Co Dublin, K67 PX85
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6:00pm -
8:00pm
|
|
Galway
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Monday, 27th April
|
Clayton Hotel Galway
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Monivea Road, Ballybrit,Galway H91D526
|
7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Galway
|
Wednesday, 29th April
|
Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe
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Canel Drive, Marino Point, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
|
7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Kerry
|
Tuesday, 21st April
|
Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee
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Oaklands, Tralee, Co. Kerry V92 DC83
|
6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Kildare
|
Monday, 20th April
|
Clanard Hotel
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Athy, R14FY90
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7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Kildare
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Wednesday, 22nd April
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Glenroyal Hotel
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Maynooth, W23C2V1
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7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Kildare
|
Wednesday, 29th of April
|
Keadeen Hotel
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Newbridge, W12T925
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7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Kilkenny
|
Tuesday, 21st April
|
Ormonde Hotel Kilkenny
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Ormonde Street, Kilkenny R95 Y5CX
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7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Laois
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Thursday, 23rd April
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The Midland Park Hotel
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Jessop Street Portlaoise R32 KV20 Laois
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7.00pm-9.00pm
|
|
Leitrim
|
Tuesday, 28th of April from
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Landmark Hotel
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Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim N41 N9W4
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7:30 – 9:30pm
|
|
Limerick
|
Tuesday, 28th April
|
Longcourt
House Hotel, Newcastle
West
|
Newcastle West, Co Limerick V42 TD72
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6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Limerick
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Wednesday, 29th April
|
Great National Southcourt Hotel
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Raheen Roundabout, Co. Limerick V94 E77X
|
6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Longford
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Wednesday, 22nd of April
|
Longford Arms Hotel
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25 Main Street Longford N39 X4H6
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6:00pm -
8:00pm
|
|
Louth
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Wednesday, 22nd of April
|
The Gateway Hotel Dundalk
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Inner Relief Rd, Marshes Upper, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 EF88
|
6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Louth
|
Tuesday, 21st of April
|
Donegans Inn, Monasterboice Drogheda
|
Bawntaffe, Monasterboice, Drogheda A92 A59E
|
6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Mayo
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Wednesday 29th April
|
Ellison Hotel
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Lannagh Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. F23 V279
|
7:00pm -
9:00pm
|
|
Meath
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Tuesday, 21st April
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Pillo Hotel
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Ashbourne Co. Meath A84 KR91
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7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Meath
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Wednesday, 22nd April
|
Ardboyne Hotel
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Navan, Co. Meath C15 C9YA
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7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Meath
|
Thursday, 23rd April
|
Knightsbrook Hotel
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Trim Co. Meath C15 WYF4
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7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Monaghan
|
Tuesday, 21st of April
|
Four Seasons
Hotel & Leisure Club, Monaghan
|
Coolshannagh, Monaghan, H18 Y220
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6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Offaly
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Tuesday, 28th of April
|
The Bridge House Hotel
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Bridge Steet, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 K2T9
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7:00pm –
9:00pm
|
|
Roscommon
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Wednesday, 22nd of April
|
Hannons Hotel
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Athlone
Rd, Acres, Roscommon, Co Roscommon, F42PH33
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7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Sligo
|
Tuesday, 21st of April
|
Sligo Park Hotel
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Pearse Rd, Cornageetha, Sligo F91 Y762
|
3:00pm –
5:00pm
|
|
Sligo
|
Tuesday, 21st of April
|
Sligo Park Hotel
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Pearse Rd, Cornageetha, Sligo F91 Y762
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6.30pm-
8.30pm
|
|
Tipperary
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Monday, 27th April
|
Talbot Hotel Clonmel
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Cahir Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary E91 X0N7
|
6.30pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Tipperary
|
Tuesday, 21st April
|
Abbey Court Hotel & Leisure Centre
|
Dublin Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary E45 KA99
|
6.30pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Waterford
|
Wednesday, 22nd April
|
Park Hotel, Dungarvan
|
Shandon Road, Shandon, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford X35CC97
|
7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Waterford
|
Wednesday, 29th April
|
Woodlands Hotel, Waterford
|
Dunmore Road, Waterford X91VC2R
|
7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Westmeath
|
Thursday, 30th April
|
Bloomfield House Hotel
|
Mullingar N91 HP8E
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6.30pm –
8.30pm
|
|
Westmeath
|
Tuesday, 28th April
|
Raddison Blu Hotel
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Athlone N37 A8X9
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6.30pm –
8.30pm
|
|
Wexford
|
Wednesday, 22nd April
|
Ambersprings Hotel
|
Wexford St, Knockmullen, Gorey, Co. Wexford.Y25
FY07
|
6.30pm –
8.30pm
|
|
Wexford
|
Wednesday, 29th of April
|
Riverside Hotel & Leisure Club
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The Promenade, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.Y21 T2F4
|
6.30pm –
8.30pm
|
|
Wicklow
|
Monday, 27th April
|
Glenview Hotel
|
Glen of the Downs, Co Wicklow A63 DC95
|
7.00pm-
9.00pm
|
|
Online Irish language consultation
|
Thursday, 30th April
|
Online
|
Online
|
7.00pm-
8.30pm
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