Meath sees 15pc increase in children supported by childcare scheme
The number of children in Meath benefitting from reduced childcare and early learning costs has increased by 15pc, according to a Meath senator.
Fine Gael senator Linda Nelson Murray said uptake of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) continues to rise both locally and nationally, with almost 9,000 children in the county availing of supports last year.
Across the State, around 245,000 children benefitted from the scheme in 2025, representing a 12pc increase on the approximately 218,000 children supported in 2024.
“In our own county of Meath, 8,899 children benefitted from the scheme last year, an increase of 15pc on 2024,” Ms Nelson Murray said.
She said the rise in uptake includes a 53pc increase in the minimum hourly subsidy available under the scheme from September 2024.
The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of early learning and childcare. It offers both universal and income-assessed subsidies, paid directly to registered childcare providers to reduce fees for families.
Universal subsidies are available to all children under the age of 15 attending registered childcare, while income-related subsidies provide higher levels of support for lower-income households.
Ms Nelson Murray said the scheme has undergone a number of enhancements in recent years aimed at making childcare more affordable and accessible.
Further changes are due to come into effect this September, including lower maximum fee caps for families paying the highest childcare costs and increased subsidy rates for families on lower incomes.
“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,” she added.