Fine Gael has today introduced legislation to protect childcare places and prevent the closure of pre-school services across the country.
The party has moved to protect ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) services and childminders from being hit with commercial rates bills through the Valuation (Amendment) 2026 Bill.
Deputy Emer Currie, TD for Dublin West and Fine Gael Spokesperson for Childcare said: “Ireland got it right with the introduction of ECCE, our two-year free preschool programme, with 96% of eligible children now taking part. The programme plays a vital role in early childhood development. It also supports families, reduces poverty and improves life-long employment prospects.
“But right now, that progress and childcare places at risk as some providers are being hit with commercial rates bills for the first time from Tailte Éireann, the state’s property registration body.
“Providers are also being penalised for offering parents a short, paid, after care period – capped at ECCE rates – to help them manage their day.
“These are not profit-driven services. The people running them are deeply committed to their sector, their communities and they are working hard on very tight margins.
“On one hand, the State is investing in childcare and encouraging expansion. On the other, it is applying rules that could force services to close. That’s a contradiction that must be fixed.
Deputy John Paul O’Shea said “Today’s commencement of the Valuation (Amendment) 2026 Bill in Dáil Éireann is a very important and timely step in protecting small childcare providers across the country, who have recently been faced with unexpected and significant commercial rates bills.
“At a time when childcare services are already under pressure, the last thing providers need is additional financial burdens that could threaten their viability. This legislation will provide much-needed clarity and certainty by ensuring that ECCE services, not-for-profit providers, and childminders operating from their own homes are not unfairly treated as commercial entities for rates purposes”.
Senator Linda Nelson Murray said: “Families rely on ECCE – not just the three core hours, but the extra care providers step up to deliver. It’s a lifeline. Services already operating at ECCE rates for that additional time should not be punished by being labelled commercial. This Bill puts that right and protects them.”
Deputy James Geoghegan explained: “A childminder received notice that an evaluator would assess her home for commercial rates. The only effect this has had is to disincentivise more people from providing a badly needed service to parents and children. This legislation would put an end to the fear and anxiety of being hit with a commercial rates bill.
“The Valuation (Amendment) 2026 Bill will exempt ECCE-only services, ECCE services that offer capped aftercare at ECCE rates, not-for-profit services and childminders working from their own home from commercial rates. Parents need assurances that they can access quality childcare in their own community. Hitting these services with unsustainable commercial rate charges threatens their viability. A common sense approach has to be adopted and this legislation provides for that.”
