Childcare: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-09-23
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Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (FF), Labour Panel

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Teachta Foley. I am pleased to speak today on this important Fianna Fáil motion on childcare. At its heart, this motion recognises a simple truth. While some families continue to face challenges in accessing affordable, high-quality childcare, substantial progress has been made in recent years. We must continue to build on that progress. Fianna Fáil is committed to ensuring that Ireland is a good place to raise a family where every child is given an equal start in life and equal opportunities to succeed.
We know that early childhood is one of the most important stages in a person’s life. It is a time of enormous opportunity when children develop the foundations that will support them throughout their education and into adulthood. To achieve their full potential, children need access to quality care and early education, and parents and guardians need the necessary support to give their children the best possible start. That is why the Government has made childcare one of its key priorities.
Since 2020, State investment in early learning and childcare has more than doubled, increasing from €638 million to €1.52 billion in 2026. This represents an unprecedented level of commitment to children, families and the childcare sector. The focus of that investment has been clear - reducing costs for families, improving accessibility, supporting providers, increasing capacity and improving pay and conditions for educators and school-aged childcare practitioners. Budget 2026 further demonstrated that commitment, allocating almost €1.5 billion to early learning and childcare. This is a 12% increase on the previous year and a remarkable contrast to the €260 million investment just one decade ago.
We should not underestimate the significance of these investments. They are delivering real benefits for families throughout the country. Through the Government’s phase 2 reforms under Shaping the Future, we are pursuing long-term challenges to ensure childcare becomes even more affordable, accessible and sustainable. These reforms include a commitment to reduce parental fees to a maximum of €200 per month over the lifetime of this Government; strengthen supply-side funding for providers; improve pay and conditions for staff; and increase childcare capacity through both existing services and new State-led provision where gaps exist. Importantly, these reforms are informed by extensive consultation with parents, providers, educators and stakeholders. The objective is to develop a childcare system that works for everyone, including children, families, workers and providers.
The progress already achieved is substantial. This year alone, approximately 277,000 children will benefit from the national childcare scheme subsidies. More than 105,000 children will access free preschool education through the early childhood care and education programme, ECCE, while up to 9,000 children with disabilities will receive support through the access and inclusion model. Additional investment is being targeted towards disadvantaged children through the Equal Start initiative.
One of the most significant developments has been the introduction and expansion of core funding. Core funding has grown by 86% since its introduction and currently stands at over €482 million. More than 4,600 childcare providers are participating in this scheme, representing over 93% of eligible services. In return for this support, providers agree to fee controls, including fee freezes and caps, thus providing certainty and protection for families facing the cost of childcare.
For parents, the results are tangible. Average childcare fees are now 36% lower than in 2022. For a typical full-day childcare place, the maximum weekly fee has fallen significantly, delivering savings of more than €600 annually for many families. One quarter of families are already paying less than the Government’s target maximum fee of €200 per month. Targeted measures also have ensured that support reaches those who need it most. Low-income and lone-parent families have seen childcare costs fall dramatically as a proportion of income. Income thresholds have been increased to ensure more families qualify for higher subsidy levels. Additional supports for families with multiple children have reduced accessible income calculations and enabled more households to access greater assistance. These measures help to ease financial pressure at a time when many families continue to face broader cost-of-living challenges.
Of course, affordability is only one part of the challenge. Families must be able to access childcare places when and where they need them. The Government recognises the concern that exists with childcare capacity. However, the evidence shows positive momentum. The number of registered childcare services is increasing. Service closures are declining and enrolments increased by 25% between 2022 and 2025, despite the population of children under the age of five declining by 12% over the same period. There was also a net increase in providers in 2025 and we are seeing significant growth in the workforce. More than 42,000 people now work in the sector, representing growth of over one third since 2022. Qualification levels continue to rise, reflecting a more professional, skilled and supported workforce.
Through core funding and successive employment regulation orders, significant resources have been directed towards improving pay and conditions. The latest employment regulation order delivered an average pay increase of 10% for over two thirds of workers, while further increases are proposed for 2026. These improvements are essential because high-quality childcare depends on attracting and retaining highly skilled educators. The role of early years educators is invaluable. They support children in their learning, development and well-being during some of the most formative years of life. The Government must continue to support the professionalisation of the sector and the implementation of the objectives contained in the Nurturing Skills plan.
I acknowledge the important contribution of childminders across the country. Childminders provide an essential service for many families and communities. The new framework has been developed following consultation with the sector. It aims to strike the right balance by ensuring standards while recognising the unique nature of home-based childcare. Ongoing review and consultation will ensure these arrangements continue to work effectively.
Another important development is the State’s direct involvement in childcare provision for the first time. Supported by €135 million in capital funding, the State is building and acquiring childcare facilities with the aim of creating up to 800 new places in 2026. This is a significant policy shift that will help to address gaps in capacity, particularly in areas where private provision alone has not been sufficient.
The first site in Shanganagh Castle in Dublin has already been secured and is expected to open later this year.
This motion is balanced and realistic. It recognises that many families still face significant childcare costs but it also acknowledges that demand remains greater than supply in some parts of the country, particularly for younger children. It accepts that recruitment and retention remain challenges in a highly competitive labour market. It recognises, importantly, the substantial progress that has been made and the clear direction of travel.
The motion calls for affordable, accessible, and high-quality childcare for all families; further reductions in childcare fees in budget 2027; continued investment in childcare capacity, including State-owned facilities, where there is unmet need; greater co-location of childcare facilities with new schools; and continued support for recruitment, retention and professional development in the workforce.
Beyond the figures, funding allocation and policy reforms, we should remind ourselves why this matters so much. Childcare is not simply a service; it is an investment in our children, our families, our communities , our economy and our future. When families can access affordable, high-quality childcare, parents have greater opportunities to participate in the workforce, if they so choose, to pursue education, if they so choose, and to build financial security for their families.

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Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted.

Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-09-23/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-23