Families in Kildare face sharp increases in childcare fees – Cllr

Families in Kildare are facing sharp increases in childcare fees after a local service confirmed it is withdrawing from the State Core Funding scheme from March 2026, according to Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender.

Cllr Pender said: “I have real sympathy for childcare providers who are under huge financial pressure from wages, insurance, energy and compliance costs. Many entered Core Funding in good faith to keep fees affordable while trying to keep services viable.

“However, my strongest concern is for parents and children who are now facing a sudden and severe cost shock through no fault of their own. Core Funding was sold to families as a way to bring stability and certainty to childcare costs. Once a service leaves the scheme, that protection disappears overnight.

“Over recent days I have been contacted by parents who are genuinely fearful about how they will cope. With rent, food and energy already at record levels, sharp childcare fee increases risk forcing people out of work and placing families under extreme strain.

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“There is also growing evidence that the current Core Funding model is creating an uneven playing field. Long established services are being left at a disadvantage compared to newly opened services that can charge higher fees while still receiving full State support. Parents are now paying the price for these policy gaps.

Cllr Pender said he has written directly to the Department of Children seeking “full clarity” on how many services are exiting Core Funding, what oversight exists on fee increases, and what protections are in place for families.

The Social Democrats councillor said he has also written to the Minister calling for urgent action to strengthen safeguards for parents.

He added: “In parallel, I have asked Aidan Farrelly, Social Democrats spokesperson for Youth, Children and Equality, to raise this issue through Parliamentary Questions so that national data and accountability are forced into the open.

“Providers need funding that is fair and sustainable. Parents need certainty and protection from sudden fee shocks. Right now, the system is failing both.”