Mayo TD welcomes new childcare fee cap and €390 million Core Funding boost

Mayo TD Keira Keogh has welcomed the announcement of a new nationwide maximum fee cap for early learning and childcare services, alongside a record €390 million in core funding.

The Westport-based Fine Gael TD said that the funding will support providers and this will directly benefit families and childcare services across Mayo.

“This is about reducing the cost of childcare for Mayo parents while also ensuring our local services have the resources to retain excellent staff and meet the real costs of providing high-quality care,” said Deputy Keogh.

From September 2025, all services participating in the Core Funding Scheme, including those across the county will be subject to a new maximum fee cap, helping to tackle disparities in childcare fees across the country.

Under this new cap: The maximum fee for full-day childcare (40–50 hours/week) will be €295 per week; Families will still benefit from additional National Childcare Scheme subsidies and free preschool through ECCE; A typical family receiving the universal subsidy of €96.30 will pay no more than €198.70 per week, with further reductions based on income and circumstances.

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“This is a real step forward in delivering on the Government’s commitment to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child by the end of this Government’s term. We know parents in Mayo are under pressure, and this will help ease the burden,” Keogh added.

The Core Funding Scheme, which now reaches 92 percent of services nationwide, will also see a €60 million increase in funding this year.

Deputy Keogh said that this includes: €45 million ring-fenced to support improved pay for the early years workforce, once new Employment Regulation Orders are agreed; An increase in the minimum base grant for providers, from €14,000 to €14,400 per year; Additional funding to support service expansion and sustainability, including for rural and community providers

“We need to keep great people in this sector, those who care for and teach our youngest children. Better pay is essential to that. This funding will help make sure local childcare providers in Mayo can remain open, staffed, and strong,” said Deputy Keogh.

Deputy Keogh also highlighted that any services in Mayo facing sustainability concerns can continue to access support through Mayo County Childcare Committee and Pobal under the Department’s existing case management process.

“This is a significant and welcome investment in Mayo’s children, in working parents, and in our vital early years sector. I’ll keep working to ensure rural and community-based providers are supported fairly as we move toward more affordable, quality childcare for all,” Keogh concluded.

Deputy Keogh has organised a meeting with a group of local Mayo parents tomorrow to listen to their concerns and hear firsthand how childcare costs and access are impacting families in the county.