Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley is encouraging people in County Louth to take part in upcoming consultation events on early learning and care and school age childcare.
The events form part of the National Conversation on Education and are being organised by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality in partnership with the County Louth Childcare Committee.
Two local consultations have been scheduled. The first will take place in Donegan’s Inn, Monasterboice, Drogheda on Tuesday, April 21 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. The second will be held in the Gateway Hotel in Dundalk on Wednesday, April 22 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Places are limited, and those interested in attending can book online at: gov.ie/LetsTalkEarlyYears.
The consultation process is open to parents, early years educators, school age childcare practitioners, childminders, providers and anyone with an interest in the sector.
It follows a national online survey on Early Years which closed on March 12 and received more than 11,000 responses.
In total, 51 consultation events will be held across the country between April 20 and April 30. Each session will last between 1.5 and 2 hours, with participants taking part in small group discussions focused on accessibility, affordability and quality.
These local consultations offer the public an opportunity to:
- Share what is working well and what needs to change.
- Identify priorities for future investment and improvement.
- Ensure the voices of parents, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders, providers and communities shape national policy.
- Contribute to an affordable, accessible, high‑quality early learning and care and school-age childcare system.
The events are being delivered in collaboration with local City and County Childcare Committees. Feedback gathered will help inform Phase 2 of Shaping the Future, the Government’s Early Years Action Plan, as well as the next phase of First 5, Ireland’s strategy for babies, young children and their families.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said:
More than 11,000 people have had their say online about the future of early years education and now is the time for the local consultation stage of the Action Plan on Early Years Education.
“There will be 51 local consultation events hosted by City and County Childcare Committees in venues all across the country between 20 and 30 April 2026, as part of the National Conversation on Education.
“I am keen to hear the views of parents, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders, providers and anyone with an interest in early learning and care or school-age childcare.
“I am committed to making early learning and care and school-age childcare affordable, accessible and high-quality.”
Encouraging participation in the consultation process, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“Every child should grow up with the care, encouragement and learning opportunities they need to flourish. High‑quality early learning and care, and school-age childcare, are crucial in this respect. It is key that parents have access to these essential services, and that the dedicated professionals who provide those services are supported.
“Progress on Programme for Government commitments around affordability, accessibility and quality must continue to be shaped by evidence and by the voices of those directly involved. That is why a wide‑ranging public consultation process is now under way. We want to hear valuable insights from parents, educators, practitioners and providers across the country. I encourage everyone to make their voices heard.”
Louth CCC Manager, Sharon Manning said:
“At Louth County Childcare Committee, we work with parents, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders and providers every day. We know just how transformative early learning and care, and school‑age childcare can be for children—supporting their learning, development, and overall wellbeing.
“We also know the vital role these services play in supporting parents to learn, work, and take part fully in our community. That why we really want to encourage everyone to take part.
“By sharing your experiences and insights, you can directly shape Shaping the Future and the successor to the Government’s strategy for babies, young children and their families – First 5. Make sure to book your place today so you can have your say at your local consultation!”
The National Conversation on Education: the First 5 years and School-Age Childcare has five key stages:
- Stage 1: A national online survey, which closed on the 12th of March. Almost 12,000 responses were received.
- Stage 2: A nationally representative survey of 500 households with children under 14.
- Stage 3: A consultation exercise with children.
- Stage 4: Local consultation events, delivered by local City and County Childcare Committees.
- Stage 5: A national consultation event that will take place in June (The Shaping the Future National Forum: Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare).
A full list of the times and locations for the local consultation events is available online.
Those interested in taking part can book a place online at gov.ie/LetsTalkEarlyYears.
