News
Norma Foley opposes commercial rates on childminders’ homes, but it’s beyond her control
2+ hour, 32+ min ago (486+ words) Childminders should not have their homes assessed for commercial rates, Minister for Children Norma Foley has said. Foley said she has raised the issue with the Minister for Housing James Browne, adding her view was "clear. "There isn't, and I…...
Facilities for up to 800 new childcare places to be acquired by State in 2026
2+ week, 4+ day ago (613+ words) The Government is to purchase early learning facilities this year to cater for up to 800 childcare places running predominantly as community-operated creches. It is understood the Department of Children aims to acquire premises each catering for 100 or more children in…...
Four creches remain closed due to Garda vetting issues
3+ week, 9+ hour ago (339+ words) Four creches remain closed this week after failing to get the appropriate Garda vetting for staff members, Tusla has confirmed. On Sunday, the child and family agency said 17 creches around the country may not be able to reopen as they…...
Bigger childcare subsidies available to more families under plan to increase income limits
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (406+ words) More families will be eligible for higher childcare subsidies under a Department of Children plan. Currently, families can get full subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme if their household income is under "26,000. They can also receive a graduated level of…...
Half of Early Learning and Care staff expect to leave job within five years – OECD report
2+ mon, 2+ day ago (491+ words) Staff in Irish Early Learning and Care (ELC) have among the highest rates of sector-specific qualification across the OECD but are more likely to be unhappy in their jobs, with half saying they are likely to leave their jobs within…...
Childminder may leave profession after home assessed for rates: ‘I thought we were exempt’
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (634+ words) A childminder has said she is considering leaving the profession after her home was recently assessed for commercial rates. Margaret Donohoe, from Newbridge, Co Kildare, said she received an email from Tailte "ireann in October to say an evaluator would…...
Holly Cairns on her struggles with the Dáil commute and childcare: ‘It is difficult’
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (1773+ words) Holly Cairns is losing patience with the "nonsense" in Leinster House. The 36-year-old Cork South-West TD had her first baby on the day of the 2024 general election, finished maternity leave and returned to her role as leader of the Social…...
Parents dismayed by mooted closure of Tuam creche due to fire-safety concerns
3+ mon, 2+ week ago (630+ words) A childcare facility in Tuam, Co Galway, faces closure due to building fire-safety concerns, leaving 97 children without a premises and 19 staff members facing unemployment. For the last seven years, Tuam Parish has rented out part of its community centre to…...
Pay increases for childcare workers to take effect this month
4+ mon, 1+ day ago (321+ words) A pay deal providing 10 per cent increases to thousands of staff in creches and after-school childcare centres will come into effect on October 13th, it has been confirmed. The deal, which was brokered between employers and unions at the Labour Court,…...
More than €4m in public childcare funding being lost because of pay deal delay
4+ mon, 1+ week ago (661+ words) More than "4 million in Government funding to the childcare sector is set to be returned due to a delay in ratifying an already-agreed 10 per cent pay increase for the more than 30,000 workers in the sector. The money represents about 10 per…...