State grant for childcare industry provided to improve affordability and support sustainability in sector
Childcare providers have warned that prices here could increase by 30 to 40 per cent for parents if there is no intervention from Government on the core funding model. In a joint statement, the providers said this was due to “unsustainable rising costs and chronic underfunding of the sector”.
One of the organisations reported results from a recent survey showing that 40-50 per cent of their membership would be withdrawing from core funding in September, while another indicated that 75 per cent were now reviewing their participation in the schemeSmurfit profit slides ahead of merger, and warning over green fuel confusionCore funding is a State grant for the childcare industry to improve affordability and support sustainability in the sector.
“The way core funding has been allocated has left us running at a loss,” said Ms Dunne. Many childcare businesses are still charging 2017 rates because there was no annual increase in childcare fees in the years before the pandemic. Investment has been increased by 28 per cent, rising to €33 million in core funding for September 2024 to August 2025, said a department spokesman. There is more than €1.1 billion of public money invested in childcare, it added.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Government should follow ‘Danish model’ and cover 70% of childcare costs, says budget submissionChildhood Services Ireland‘s budget submission calls for removal of childcare provider fee freeze and 35% increase in Core Funding
Read more »
'We want people to have children' - Should the State pay grandparents for childcare?The State should offer grants to grandparents for stepping in and helping with their grandchildren’s care, according to Ciara Kelly.
Read more »
Rise in childcare prices to offset increased State subsidies for some parentsDepartment of Children to allow service providers to raise prices if charging below average rates
Read more »
State should purchase vacant childcare units, Seanad hearsMinister for Children Roderic O’Gorman signalled his openness to the idea after a debate on childcare provision
Read more »
More than 40 Garda members convicted or given probation over last decadeMinister for Justice Helen McEntee sayas ‘vast majority’ of the 14,000 members of An Garda Síochána ‘uphold the values of the organisation and serve the State with integrity each and every day’
Read more »
‘Great times great memories’ - DART workers celebrate 40 yearsAs Dublin's DART service celebrates its 40th birthday, we talk to some of the people behind the Dublin Area Rapid Transit System. Video: Bryan O'Brien
Read more »