Budget cash for updating childcare facilities

Childcare providers will receive increased funding to upgrade their facilities and assist with administration costs as part of Budget 2018.

Having rolled out the first phase of the affordable childcare scheme, Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone is pushing for better quality and standards and has secured an increased budget to pump into facilities.

Creches and other childcare providers received €18m to help with administration costs last year while €8m in grants was also allocated to do up and expand facilities. It is understood the level of funding for both schemes will be increased next year with a focus on improving standards.