Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley T.D., has announced the 2025 Childminding Development Grant awards, providing funding to 413 childminders across Ireland. The total funding of €411,338 marks the highest amount ever awarded under the scheme, reflecting a 7% increase from 2024 and 22% from 2023.
💬 Minister Foley’s Statement:
“Childminders are an essential part of our early learning, care, and school-age childcare sector, as well as our local communities. I am delighted to support an increase in the number of childminders benefiting from the Childminding Development Grant and to help improve quality and safety in their service.”
💡 About the Childminding Development Grant:
The grant supports childminders in enhancing quality and safety by funding items such as:
Toys and childcare equipment
Safety gear
Inclusive learning tools
STEM and arts materials
IT equipment for training and registration
75% of the grant is paid upfront to cover initial costs.
Open to existing and new childminders starting their business in 2025.
📊 Grant Allocation by County:
Below is the breakdown of grant allocations by City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) area:
| City/County | Number of Applicants | Total Grant Amount (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Carlow | 11 | 11,000 |
| Cavan | 17 | 16,700 |
| Clare | 19 | 19,000 |
| Cork City | 11 | 11,000 |
| Cork County | 22 | 22,000 |
| Donegal | 12 | 12,000 |
| Dublin City | 12 | 12,000 |
| Dún Laoghaire Rathdown | 17 | 16,900 |
| Fingal | 26 | 26,000 |
| Galway | 25 | 24,500 |
| Kerry | 19 | 19,000 |
| Kildare | 11 | 11,000 |
| Kilkenny | 5 | 5,000 |
| Laois | 5 | 5,000 |
| Leitrim | 3 | 3,000 |
| Limerick | 35 | 35,000 |
| Longford | 3 | 3,000 |
| Louth | 9 | 9,000 |
| Mayo | 16 | 16,000 |
| Meath | 21 | 20,990 |
| Monaghan | 11 | 11,000 |
| Offaly | 4 | 4,000 |
| Roscommon | 10 | 10,000 |
| Sligo | 11 | 10,850 |
| South Dublin | 18 | 18,000 |
| Tipperary | 12 | 12,000 |
| Waterford | 14 | 13,998 |
| Westmeath | 10 | 9,400 |
| Wexford | 10 | 10,000 |
| Wicklow | 14 | 14,000 |
| Total | 413 | 411,338 |
🌍 Supporting Families Across Ireland:
This increase in funding highlights the Government’s commitment to supporting childminders as they prepare for Tusla registration, in line with the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028. Regulations specific to childminders were introduced for the first time in September 2024, allowing childminders to join the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
For more information about the National Action Plan for Childminding, visit gov.ie/childminding.
