The election included a commitment to reduce childcare fees to €200 monthly per child. Children's Minister Norma Foley announced that, starting in September, fees will be capped for the highest-paying parents, aiming to bring costs closer to the average full-day care fee of €197 after subsidies. Taoiseach Micheál Martin affirmed that all Programme for Government commitments will be honored, highlighting the importance of maintaining affordability while addressing the critical need for more childcare places due to population growth.
A major feature of the election was the pledge to reduce childcare fees to €200 per child per month. Children’s Minister Norma Foley announced capping fees from September for parents paying the highest rates in the country to be brought closer to the average care fee of €197 when subsidies are included. Taoiseach Micheál Martin asserted that all commitments in the Programme for Government will be fulfilled, focusing also on the need for affordability and increasing childcare places to meet population growth and related pressures on services.
Research indicates a pressing need for more childcare places due to the increasing population and existing strains on childcare, health services, and education. Taoiseach Micheál Martin emphasized that, alongside affordability, the access to suitable childcare needs to be improved rapidly, and he reiterated that the government has made progress in the childcare sector but acknowledged the necessity for continued focus on increasing the availability of places.
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