Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley today announced the details of the new maximum fee caps for early learning and childcare services participating in Core Funding. The new maximum fee caps will lower the maximum fees that can be charged by new and existing early learning and childcare services receiving Core Funding from the state.
Key updates include:
Introduction of new maximum fee caps, reducing the cost of a full-time place to โฌ183.70 per week cost for a typical full day place of 45 hours per week.
โฌ480 million investment in Core Funding for 2026/2027
Additional funding to support providers and improve pay for early years educators, subject to negotiations at the Joint Labour Committee.