Louth parents urged to attend Drogheda and Dundalk childcare consultations

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley is encouraging people to attend the local Consultation on Early Learning and Care and School‑Age Childcare in Louth as part of the National Conversation on Education.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), in partnership with  Louth Childcare Committee, today announced details of the upcoming local consultation events:

• In Donegan’s Inn, Monasterboice, Drogheda, Stillorgan taking place on Tuesday, 21 April from 6.30-8.30pm.
• In the Gateway Hotel in Dundalk taking place on Wednesday, 22 April from 6.30-8.30pm.

 Places are limited.  Those interested in taking part can book a place online at gov.ie/LetsTalkEarlyYears.

The consultation process is seeking views from parents, early years educators, school‑age childcare practitioners, childminders, providers and anyone interested in the issues.

It is the latest step in the National Conversation on Early Years which is already generating significant debate. New figures show that over 11,000 responses were received during a national online survey on Early Years, which closed on 12 March.

In total, 51 local consultation events are being held across Ireland between 20–30 April 2026.  Each local consultation event will run for approximately 1.5–2 hours. Participants will join small table groups focusing on three core themes (Accessibility, Affordability, Quality).

These local consultations offer the public an opportunity to:

• Share what is working well and what needs to change.
• Identify priorities for future investment and improvement.
• Ensure the voices of parents, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders, providers and communities shape national policy.
• Contribute to an affordable, accessible, high‑quality early learning and care and school-age childcare system.

The consultation events will be delivered in collaboration with the 30 local City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs). Input gathered at local level will inform both Phase 2 of Shaping the Future—the Government’s Early Years Action Plan—and the successor to First 5, Ireland’s Whole‑of‑Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.

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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said:

“More than 11,000 people have had their say online about the future of early years education and now is the time for the local consultation stage of the Action Plan on Early Years Education.

“There will be 51 local consultation events hosted by City and County Childcare Committees in venues all across the country between 20 and 30 April 2026, as part of the National Conversation on Education.

“I am keen to hear the views of parents, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders, providers and anyone with an interest in early learning and care or school-age childcare.

“I am committed to making early learning and care and school-age childcare affordable, accessible and high-quality.”

Encouraging participation in the consultation process, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:

"Every child should grow up with the care, encouragement and learning opportunities they need to flourish. High‑quality early learning and care, and school-age childcare, are crucial in this respect. It is key that parents have access to these essential services, and that the dedicated professionals who provide those services are supported.

“Progress on Programme for Government commitments around affordability, accessibility and quality must continue to be shaped by evidence and by the voices of those directly involved. That is why a wide‑ranging public consultation process is now under way. We want to hear valuable insights from parents, educators, practitioners and providers across the country. I encourage everyone to make their voices heard.”

Louth CCC Manager, Sharon Manning said:

“At Louth County Childcare Committee, we work with parents, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, childminders and providers every day. We know just how transformative early learning and care, and school‑age childcare can be for children—supporting their learning, development, and overall wellbeing.

“We also know the vital role these services play in supporting parents to learn, work, and take part fully in our community. That why we really want to encourage everyone to take part.

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“By sharing your experiences and insights, you can directly shape Shaping the Future and the successor to the Government’s strategy for babies, young children and their families - First 5. Make sure to book your place today so you can have your say at your local consultation!”

The National Conversation on Education: the First 5 years and School-Age Childcare has five key stages:

1. Stage 1: A national online survey, which closed on the 12^th of March. Almost 12,000 responses were received.
2. Stage 2: A nationally representative survey of 500 households with children under 14.
3. Stage 3: A consultation exercise with children.
4. Stage 4: Local consultation events, delivered by local City and County Childcare Committees.
5. Stage 5: A national consultation event that will take place in June (The Shaping the Future National Forum: Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare).

A full list of the times and locations for the local consultation events is available online.

Those interested in taking part can book a place online at gov.ie/LetsTalkEarlyYears.