The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley today announced the opening of the 2026 Childminding Development Grant. The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist childminders, who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. The Grant scheme is open to all childminders, including registered […]

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, today launched an online survey for parents, early years educators, providers and other stakeholders as part of The National Conversation on Education. The 12-question survey will explore the key priorities for early learning and care, school-age childcare and childminding, what should change […]

Tusla have updated the QRF to reflect recent developments in policy and practice. A summary of the latest changes can be found on page 4 of the document. Link below. Quality and Regulatory Framework for Full Time and Part Time Pre School Services

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley today welcomed the significant increase in the number of children benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme. The scheme provides subsidies that substantially reduce the cost of early learning and childcare for tens of thousands of families across the country. Full press release […]

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has announced that €135 million will be made available for State-led services providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with the acquisition of buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, […]

Minister Norma Foley has announced the launch of applications for €350,000 in Parent and Toddler Group Grants. “This year the focus for the 2026 Parent and Toddler grants is to support groups in providing assistance to young parents and children in establishing connections and to promote the inclusion of families […]

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley – TD has today published two action plans for the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector. Read the press release: https://www.gov.ie/…/minister-foley-publishes-two-new…/

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley released new figures today revealing that almost 40,000 young children have benefited from the Little Library initiative this year. The My Little Library Initiative invites children leaving pre-school and starting primary school to visit their local library to pick up a free […]

Minister Norma Foley has launched a free eLearning course for people working for or with children to support young people in decision-making. From teachers to healthcare workers, early years to staff to local authorities, this course provides the tools to ensure young voices are truly heard. Children have the right […]

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has published its new Statement of Strategy which sets out the vision, values and goals for the Department over the next three years. The Strategy outlines the Department’s vision of a fair and inclusive Ireland where people’s rights are realised and where everyone […]