Government to spend €190k to research if childcare is more affordable under national scheme

The research will be completed in the context of the programme for government aim to 'progressively reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child'.

The Government is set to spend up to €190,000 on research to establish if the National Childcare Scheme has actually made childcare more affordable and accessible for children, and if it has increased female participation in the workforce.

The Department of Children has gone out to tender for the project, due to begin in January, with a final report expected in March 2027.