Latest blog posts

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth 

Published on 20 January 2023

Last updated on 20 January 2023

• €50,000 will be made available to 25 projects.

• Pilot grants of €2,000 will be allocated to successful organisations to assist with a range of projects including; supporting parents of children with additional needs, parents from migrant backgrounds, parents of LGBTI+ young people, and parenting when separated.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the 25 projects to receive funding under the 2023 Supporting Parents, Parent Peer Support Fund. Through this Fund, a total of €50,000 will be made available to support organisations across Ireland to develop inclusive and welcoming parent peer support initiatives for all parents.

Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services seeks to ensure that all parents are confident and capable in their parenting role, helping to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. This peer support fund is a step towards parents feeling confident and comfortable seeking support from their peers.

Research in Ireland has demonstrated that peer support is highly valued by parents, both for common ages and stages and for specific parenting challenges. Informal support networks are an important protective factor that can enhance parental wellbeing and act as a valuable source of information about other parenting support services. Parent peer support groups can promote healthy parenting skills, an increased sense of empowerment, and a feeling of belonging. Parenting support groups can also be particularly helpful for parents of those who are coping with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues and for parents of children with complex care needs.

Welcoming the latest announcement, Minister O’Gorman said:

Every parent deserves to feel supported in their role as a parent. This initiative will allow these organisations to continue their important work, fostering these peer connections and support systems across Ireland.

This funding will provide practical support to services focused on providing high quality supports for parents. The variety of initiatives is a credit to the support services who are listening to and responding to the needs of parents in their local areas.

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth 

Published on 19 January 2023

Last updated on 19 January 2023

• over 105,000 children now benefitting from supports under the National Childcare Scheme
• the number of children now benefitting from supports under the National Childcare Scheme has increased by 95% since the same period in 2022
• families welcome positive impact of recent changes to the National Childcare Scheme on their engagement in work or study and on family finances

Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, today announced that more than 105,000 children are now benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme a 95% increase on the same period in 2022.

Since 2 January, the minimum hourly subsidy under the National Childcare Scheme all children under 15 is €1.40 – an increase of €0.90 per hour from last year.

For families using Tusla-registered early learning and childcare, this subsidy increase represents further cost reductions of up to €2,106 (or a reduction of up to €3,326 in total) off the annual cost of early learning and childcare for each child.

These changes to the National Childcare Scheme - backed by €121 million secured in Budget 2023 by Minister O’Gorman, bringing total funding for the Scheme to €358 million in 2023 – has given rise to an unprecedented growth in parental demand for support under the Scheme.

Parents with children attending Oasis Childcare Centre in Freshford, County Kilkenny and Waterville’s Little Stars in Dublin 15 talked about the impact of recent changes to the National Childcare Scheme on their engagement in work or study and on family finances, with children talking about what they liked most about attending these services.

Katie, whose child attends Oasis Childcare Centre in Freshford, County Kilkenny, says 'without the National Childcare Scheme, I would not have been able to go to work as the cost of childcare would cancel out my wages.....I would highly recommend national Childcare Scheme to all parents.'

Cristina, whose son who attends Waterville’s Little Stars in Dublin 15 said 'Many parents, especially mothers, think that they have to choose between their careers and motherhood, since childcare costs are so high. Going back to work might look like a financially questionable decision. The National Childcare Scheme it affordable.' The increase in the subsidy rate 'means more money that could go towards food, clothing and other household needs.'

Rob, whose daughter attends Waterville’s Little Stars, noted 'the subsidy has helped a lot financially, with the rising general cost for everything: the reduction has been a big relief.'

Children attending Oasis Childcare Centre in Freshford, County Kilkenny spoke about the favourite things they do there, including 'playing with dinosaurs', 'playing on the swing' and 'listening to stories'. When asked 'what do you learn every day?' they included 'songs and colours of the rainbow', 'putting on my coat, tidying up, washing my hands', 'numbers', 'baking' and 'hurling.'

Welcoming today’s announcement, Minister O' Gorman said:

“This government is delivering on its promise to make high-quality early learning and childcare more affordable for families and accessible to all children.

"I welcome the news that there are now more than 105,000 children, and their families, benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme.

"We have seen huge demand for the National Childcare Scheme since the increase in subsidies was announced as part of Budget 2023, as part of the government’s €1 billion investment in early learning and childcare for 2023.

"I encourage all eligible families to avail of the supports on offer through the National Childcare Scheme, by visiting www.ncs.gov.ie, calling the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 or talking to their early learning and childcare provider."

The National Childcare Scheme supports many families who would otherwise struggle to meet the cost of early learning and childcare. Increasing female labour force participation has been identified by the ESRI as a crucial step in meeting targets to reduce child poverty, and potentially the policy intervention with the largest impact on groups at risk of poverty.

HSE MEMO: NEW Flu Vaccine Walk-in Clinics for Children Aged 2-17 this week

• All children aged 2-17 can get the free flu vaccine  
• Additional Flu Vaccination Clinics
• Flu can be serious in children

Download Memo HERE

HSE MEMO: Significant levels of Flu, Covid-19 and RSV currently circulating

• Significant increase in viral infections
• Important messages for families and children regarding any infections:
  • 1) The most important measure is to stay home if you are unwell
  • 2) Infection, prevention and control measures
  • 3) Vaccination
  • 4. If you are concerned about your child

Download Memo HERE

Dear Service Providers, 

Now that the subsidy uplift has taken place, providers will be aware of the need to update their Parental Agreements. These need to be completed by 2 March.

Please note the calculations produced in the Co-Payment tool and/or the semi-automated Parental Agreement are based on the basis of registration information entered by the Service Provider for the child. It does not take into account any NCS closure periods. Providers should review the calculations produced to ensure they apply to their service’s particular circumstances. If providers have additional unfunded days you may need to adjust the calculations/contract accordingly.

We are currently working to add unfunded NCS closure date functionality and to make the Parental Agreement editable by providers.

If providers need any support in preparing Parental Agreements, please contact the provider support team at Pobal.

Regards,

The Early Years Team

Check out the Parent and Toddler groups in your area:

http://www.offalychildcare.com/index.php/parent-and-toddler-groups-offaly/find-a-group