Childminders across Carlow can avail of childminding grant

Local Fianna Fáil Carlow TD Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has hailed the announcement by Minister Norma Foley of a grant to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who provide a service in their own homes.

The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to help aid these services and the grant aims to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their own service.

The total budget for the grant was €500,000 reflects the high demand of recent years. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to support childminders to prepare for registration with Tusla.
Welcoming the grant, Minister Murnane O'Connor said: “For every parent the development of their child is of paramount importance. To see them learn and grow is one of life’s privileges, and we as a government want to help aid and invest in that as much as we can.

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“The announcement of the Childminding Development Grant by my colleague and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Norma Foley, will further enhance the quality-of-service childminders give to children.
“This grant will help childminders purchase equipment such as toys, safety equipment, as well as equipment to support inclusion STEAM education and IT skills.
"This grant scheme is available and open for all childminders including those planning to open their own childminding business in 2025."

Three quarters of this grant is paid in advance to assist childminder with the upfront cost of the equipment.
Minister Murnane O'Connor encouraged all childminders to avail of the grant, adding that Fianna Fáil is committed to supporting the childcare sector over the term of this government.

“I would encourage all childminders across Carlow to avail of this grant if they are eligible," she said. "Childminders provide an essential service to our children across the country, and Fianna Fáil is committed to further supporting the sector throughout the lifetime of this government.”