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Wednesday 4 October 2023 Dublin: 11°C

# Childcare

Yesterday
3rd October 2023
O'Gorman to push hard for significant childcare fee cuts in meeting with Donohoe tomorrow
Further cuts in childcare costs will be delivered in the budget next week but there is not the same amount of money available this year.
Last week
24th September 2023 - 30th September 2023
O'Gorman doubles down on need for fee freeze as childcare providers protest at Leinster House
Childcare providers say they are at risk of closure due to increased costs.
Last month
September 2023
Minister says Govt 'under real pressure' to accommodate refugees in coming months
Roderic O’Gorman said a significant increase in arrivals “particularly on the Ukrainian side” is putting additional pressure on accommodation.
This year
2023
Tax package, energy and business supports to form part of October's giveaway budget
This year’s budget takes place on 10 October.
Bluebell baby monitors 'no longer safe' as regulator issues recall
It is believed that there is a risk of children not being monitored correctly.
'Brexit pubs guarantee' and free childcare, what was in the UK's Budget?
The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer has frozen the duty on draught pints and promised up to 30 hours per week of free childcare for eligible households.
Events to mark Good Friday Agreement anniversary planned amid speculation over Biden visit
There has been much speculation about whether the US President will visit Northern Ireland for the anniversary.
Families in the North more reliant on friends and family for childcare than those in the Republic
Care by family and friends is much more comment in the North at 39%, while this figure is only at 6% in the Republic.
Poll: Have you benefited from Budget 2023?
A number of measures announced in September took effect this week.
Last year
2022
Strike action by childcare providers tomorrow cancelled as meeting with Minister planned
Childcare providers have claimed they have been marginalised by the Government’s new core funding model.
Childcare providers to strike over 'inadequately addressed' funding issues
The Federation of Early Childhood Providers informed thousands of parents of the closure
Minister hopes parents using childminders will benefit from cheaper childcare next year
Roderic O’Gorman says some childminders are concerned about what a new regulatory system will mean for them.
Childcare: Reduction of up to 25% announced in costs under National Childcare Scheme
It will cost €121 million and save families up to €175 a month.
Opinion: The new childcare ‘Core Funding’ is positive news but more is needed in the budget
Regina Bushell of Seas Suas childcare group says recent changes are to be welcomed, but Budget 2023 must not forget the sector.
Opinion: No one told me that childcare is the true engine of creative work
Erin Fornoff on how she wrote a play while living on a sinking barge with a toddler – and no childcare.
New funding model for childcare will freeze this year's fees at 2021 rates
Roderic O’Gorman said that Together for Better would benefit children, parents and workers.
Bacik says Ireland should copy Germany's €9 monthly public transport fare initiative
The Labour Party is holding its first think-in since the resignation of Alan Kelly as party leader.
Childcare fees should fall by 50% over the next two Budgets, says minister
Minister Roderic O’Gorman said his focus is on improving affordability for parents in this year’s Budget.
Childcare fees will fall for the vast majority of parents under 'big' Budget package
A report by
Christina Finn
Childcare providers have warned of further closures due to a delay in a funding scheme.
Tánaiste says freezing childcare fees 'is not enough'.
Parents are paying out nearly €800 per month per child for childcare.
Childcare providers warn of closures due to funding delay.
Double child benefit payment, welfare hikes and tax changes - here's what to expect in the Budget
Sinn Féin tables proposals to cut cost of childcare by two thirds
The party launched their childcare policy this afternoon.
'Overlooked' childcare providers protest over funding
Higher inflation and historically low funding are leading to many services falling into ‘real financial difficulty’, a leader in the sector said.
Creches say planned fee freeze for childcare costs in September 'unworkable'
Under the Government’s core funding model, fees will be frozen at the rate that was in place in September 2021.
Government's 'objective' to cut childcare costs before Christmas - Taoiseach
Martin warned that the toughest period in this crisis could be wintertime.
Pilot 'baby bundles' to be given to new parents
The bundles will be distributed to 500 newborns and their parents.
Housing is government's 'biggest failure', Social Democrats say at national conference
Members of the Social Democrats convened today for its first in-person conference since 2019.
Parents paying nearly €800 in monthly fees per child in childcare, report finds
A new report finds that the average weekly fee nationally per child for full day childcare is €186.84.
Government to reduce childcare costs 'considerably' in the next Budget
Childcare fees will be capped at September 2021 levels if a deal can be done on pay and conditions.
Childcare fees will be capped at September 2021 levels if a deal can be done on pay and conditions.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says increased subsidies should be used to reduce costs considerably for parents.
Government believes a reduction in the cost of childcare 'will help with cost of living'.
Would it work here? The countries finding success in key aspects of childcare
Increased State spend on childcare 'not enough' to solve crisis for parents and providers
Living wage proposals to be brought to Government before summer, says Varadkar
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said indexing the tax bands further is needed now more than ever.
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What can be done to improve childcare in Ireland?
Noteworthy’s Peter McGuire and Professor Mathias Urban tell Susan Daly about the challenges facing Ireland’s childcare system.
Would it work here? The countries finding success in key aspects of childcare
As part of a Noteworthy and The Good Information Project deep-dive into childcare, we look to how other countries are managing the sector.
Increased State spend on childcare 'not enough' to solve crisis for parents and providers
A report by
Peter McGuire
A legal right to a childcare place, a purpose-built afterschool system and dramatic hike in public funding would help create a sustainable model.
Cost of childcare in Ireland is among the highest in the EU and parental leave entitlements among the worst, writes Peter McGuire.
This Noteworthy and The Good Information Project deep-dive finds that planned State investment will not deliver a sustainable, universal, model of care.
While the ECCE preschool scheme deemed a success, care for under-3s and primary school children is inconsistent.
'It's put me off having more kids': Your stories of childcare in Ireland during the pandemic
We asked parents to share their stories. Here’s what they told us.
Poll: Should there be a network of State-run childcare centres?
The need for affordable childcare has consistently been highlighted as an issue for working parents.
What kind of difficulties have you faced with childcare? We want to hear your story
Whatever your situation is, we want to hear what change you’d like to see to the current childcare system.
All time
Antigen testing programme to be rolled out for early learning and childcare services from tomorrow
Tests will be available to children aged four and over and staff in a pod where there’s a confirmed Covid case.
Childcare providers hold Dáil protest over children 'falling through the cracks'
They say services are “chronically underfunded”.
Fine Gael sets out major new childcare policies
Fine Gael is calling for a ‘major re-prioritisation’ of early childhood by the Government and policymakers.
Poll: How do you think the State should fix issues with accessing childcare?
Readers have shared their difficulties in trying to access childcare services.
'I have no idea who will mind my children': Readers' stories of Ireland's childcare crisis
A report by
Lauren Boland
We asked readers to share their experiences of trying to find childcare in Ireland – here are their stories.
Every year, tens of thousands of parents around the country seek out childcare, but many say it has become an increasingly difficult search.
We asked readers to share their experiences and struggles with childcare in Ireland.
Here are their stories, collected by Lauren Boland.
Call for increased investment in early years childcare sector, especially for under threes
Opinion: 'Formal childcare for small babies in Dublin is a fiction. It effectively does not exist'
Have you faced difficulties finding childcare for your young child? We want to hear your story
We want to piece together the picture of what finding childcare looks like in Ireland – here’s how you can take part.