The Programme for Government states that it will "progressively reduce" the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the National Childcare Scheme.
It will also explore options to cap costs for larger families.
While it says it will continue to grow State involvement and investment in the sector, it recognises that "an important element of supply" is from private providers, with whom it says it will work in partnership.
The Programme for Government also states that it will ensure childcare providers' fees are open, transparent and equitable, and readily available to parents.
Core funding will be reviewed and increased to ensure that the fee cap is maintained and early years educators in the private sector will benefit from Employment Regulation Orders.
There is also an aim to reduce the administrative burden on providers.
The National Childcare Scheme will be extended to childminders working in the family home, with "sensible regulations" that fit home-based care.
The 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities will also be reviewed to ensure childcare spaces are provided and put into use and capital investment to build or purchase state-owned childcare facilities to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists will be provided.
There will also be a plan to develop State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including through the Irish medium Naíonraí.
The Supply Management Unit will be resourced and transformed into a Forward Planning and Delivery Unit within the Department to identify areas of need, forecast demand, and deliver public supply within the childcare sector where required.
Making an extra hour of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) available each day in the second year of preschool will be explored, and options to amend the ECCE eligibility criteria will also be examined.
Child poverty
The Child Poverty and Well-being Unit will remain at the Department of An Taoiseach during the term of the next Government in an effort "to break down silos between departments" and drive delivery of measures aimed at reducing child poverty.
The Programme for Government states that child poverty is not inevitable, and by ensuring "a determined focus", more children can be lifted out of poverty to give them the futures they deserve.
The Government will set an ambitious child poverty target, ensuring a focus on inequality, and will work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres.
It also says it will explore ways to better support non-profit, community and social enterprise organisations.
Family payments
The establishment of a managed savings account for newborns will be explored by the next Government with an initial once-off contribution by the State.
The Programme for Government says this will ensure that lower-income families benefit most from its inception.
Paid surrogacy leave will be introduced, and the prompt enactment of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 will see the "early establishment" of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA) as set out in the legislation.
The AHRRA is a body that will oversee and regulate assisted human reproduction (AHR) practices due to recognition of the need for clearer regulation in areas like in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg/sperm donation, surrogacy, and other reproductive technologies.
The provision for newborns and their parents of a Baby Bundle, comprising of essential items, is set to be expanded.
Breastfeeding support will be enhanced through a government-wide strategy, funding for community initiatives, more lactation consultants in hospitals and communities, and increased support for voluntary breastfeeding groups.
There is also a promise to fully implement the Zero Tolerance Strategy recognising the harm domestic, sexual and gender-based violence has on children and young people.
Carer's Allowance
There is a commitment to phase out the carers means test during the lifetime of the Government.
The Programme for Government promises to "significantly increase" the income disregards for Carer’s Allowance in each Budget to get to that point.
It says it will progressively increase weekly carers' payments and continue to increase the annual Carer’s Support Grant.
Parents aged 66+ who are caring for children with lifelong disabilities will retain the rate at which they are paid their Carer’s Allowance and concurrently receive the State Pension.
Improving support to those providing full-time care and attention to more than one person will be examined by the incoming Government, as will the introduction of a Pay Related Carer’s Benefit for individuals who have to give up work suddenly to provide full-time care to a loved one.
