Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-18
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Micheál Martin (FF), Cork South-Central

Investment has grown significantly. It is up 12% again this year compared with last year. The sector will receive about €1.5 billion this year, but demand will grow. We also have to keep an eye on the quality of childcare that is provided as much as on capacity. That is why investment in the workforce is important. A total of €45 million has been provided this year in ring-fenced funding for another wage order on top of the €45 million that was provided for last year. We are making incremental progress on pay for childcare workers.
An online consultation on the early years action plan is under way, alongside local and national consultation events, ensuring that reform is shaped with providers, educators and parents. That is important. At the heart of that reform is a clear focus on affordability, accessibility and the achievement of high-quality early learning and care to deliver on our commitment to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per child per month over the lifetime of this Government.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:39+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-18