A significant increase has been recorded in the number of children benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme, according to new figures published by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
In County Louth, 5,287 children received National Childcare Scheme subsidies in 2024. That figure rose to 5,820 in 2025, representing a 10 per cent increase year on year.
Nationally, around 245,000 children benefitted from the scheme in 2025, up from approximately 218,000 in 2024. The scheme provides subsidies that help reduce the cost of early learning and childcare for families across the country.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, welcomed the increase, describing it as a positive development for families. She said the growth in uptake reflects continued Government investment in the early learning and childcare sector, including a 53 per cent increase in the minimum hourly National Childcare Scheme subsidy introduced in September 2024.
Other counties also saw notable increases in uptake, with Clare and Offaly recording rises of 18 per cent, Roscommon 16 per cent and Dublin city 9 per cent. The average increase across the wider County Dublin area was 13 per cent.
Further changes to the National Childcare Scheme are planned. The recently published Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan outlines reforms aimed at improving affordability for up to 47,000 children from low-income families.
From September 2026, the lower income threshold for income-assessed subsidies will increase from €26,000 to €34,000, while the upper threshold will rise from €60,000 to €68,000. The multiple child discount will also be enhanced, reducing reckonable income for families with more than one child in childcare.
In addition, maximum fees charged by Core Funding Partner Services will be reduced from September 2026. These new fee limits will be confirmed in the coming months once financial returns from childcare providers have been fully analysed.
