Big boost as 10% more Longford children are benefitting from National Childcare Scheme

There has been a notable increase in people reaping the benefits from the initiative

The number of children in Longford benefitting from reduced childcare and early learning services has

increased by 10%, according to Longford TD Micheál Carrigy.

The Fine Gael representative said that there has been a significant increase in the number of children and

families benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme throughout the country.

Deputy Carrigy explained: “Subsidies within the scheme substantially reduce the cost of early learning

and childcare and I’m very pleased that a total of around 245,000 children benefitted from the scheme

in 2025, a 12% increase on around 218,000 children who benefitted from the scheme in 2024.

“In our own county of Longford, 2141 of children benefitted from the scheme last year, an increase of

10% on 2024.

"The increase in uptake reflects Fine Gael in Government’s continued investment in the

early learning and childcare sector, including a 53% increase in the minimum hourly National Childcare

Scheme subsidy from September 2024.”

"The National Childcare Scheme has undergone a significant number of enhancements in recent years

and new, lower maximum fee changes for families paying the highest prices and higher subsidies for

lower income families are on the way in September.

“Access to affordable quality childcare remains a huge concern for families and it’s essential that we

build on the momentum of the reduced fees to fulfil the Programme for Government’s commitment to

develop an early childhood education and care system, with State-led facilities adding capacity.”