Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
1043. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are part of the core funding scheme, broken down by local authority area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40128/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1044. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childcare providers that are part of the core funding scheme, broken down by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40129/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1043 and 1044 together.
While this Department cannot mandate providers to participate in Core Funding, every effort has been made to carefully design the scheme to meet the policy objectives including to achieve high levels of participation by providers.
The table below outlines the number of childcare providers that are part of the Core Funding, broken down by local authority as per 18 May 2026:
|
Area |
Services |
|
Cork City |
172 |
|
County Carlow |
53 |
|
County Cavan |
84 |
|
County Clare |
158 |
|
County Cork |
394 |
|
County Donegal |
181 |
|
County Galway |
294 |
|
County Kerry |
161 |
|
County Kildare |
188 |
|
County Kilkenny |
101 |
|
County Laois |
90 |
|
County Leitrim |
46 |
|
County Limerick |
215 |
|
County Longford |
40 |
|
County Louth |
109 |
|
County Mayo |
138 |
|
County Meath |
197 |
|
County Monaghan |
71 |
|
County Offaly |
77 |
|
County Roscommon |
79 |
|
County Sligo |
81 |
|
County Tipperary |
197 |
|
County Waterford |
102 |
|
County Westmeath |
85 |
|
County Wexford |
152 |
|
County Wicklow |
149 |
|
Dublin City |
388 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
150 |
|
Fingal |
272 |
|
South Dublin |
212 |
|
Total |
4636 |
Uptake of Core Funding remains strong. As of 18 May 2026, there were 4,636 services signed up to the fourth year of Core Funding which represents 93% uptake by eligible services. This is the highest number of Partner Services in Core Funding at any point since the scheme was launched in 2022 and the number continues to grow.
I am encouraged by this rate of participation: it shows the vast majority of families will continue to benefit from the scheme’s fee management conditions.
I trust this information is of assistance.
