Families in Cork to Benefit from Lower Childcare Fees through National Childcare Scheme – O’Shea

Families across Cork are set to benefit from a new maximum fee cap for early learning and childcare services, Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul O’Shea has said.

Deputy O’Shea said “Today’s announcement is very welcome for families in Cork. Childcare costs have been a real pressure on household budgets for years and these new fee caps, combined with record Core Funding, show Fine Gael’s ongoing commitment to making early learning and childcare more affordable and accessible.”

Higher subsidies are available for many parents under the National Childcare Scheme, depending on family income and the age and number of children. Approximately 12% of services will be required to reduce at least one fee under the new caps. Most parents are already paying below the new maximum levels and will continue to benefit from the fee freeze first introduced in 2022.

The changes will come into effect in September 2026.

Core Funding for early years providers will increase from €390 million in the current programme year to €480 million in Year 5, an increase of over €90 million, or 23%, supporting over 4,600 providers across the State.

Deputy O’Shea acknowledged the role of childcare providers in Cork, saying “I want to acknowledge the childcare providers in Cork who have maintained the fee freeze and delivered quality services under real financial pressure. Today’s increase in Core Funding is a recognition of their contribution. This is what Fine Gael in Government looks like—delivering real, measurable reductions in the cost of living for families right across Cork.”