Ireland’s early years policy remains firmly in focus after the latest gov.ie update on childcare, parenting and child wellbeing. The new First 5 Progress Report, published by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, outlines how government departments and agencies are advancing supports for babies, young children and their families across the country.
Released by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the 2025 annual implementation report tracks progress under First 5, the ten-year whole-of-government strategy running from 2019 to 2028. The strategy is designed to improve early childhood experiences through better services, stronger family supports and more joined-up public policy spanning Health, Social Protection, Education and related sectors.
First 5 Progress Report highlights progress across government
The First 5 Progress Report shows continued delivery on commitments set out in the 2023-2025 implementation plan. According to the update, significant work took place in 2025 to improve early learning and care, school-age childcare, parenting support and child health services.
Minister Foley said the report reflects substantial progress while reinforcing the ambition to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life. The programme also involves collaboration across the Department of the Taoiseach, Health Service Executive (HSE), Tusla and other public bodies working through the wider gov.ie system.
Key measures announced in the 2025 update
- Two major action plans were launched for early learning and care and school-age childcare, including Shaping the Future and Simplify and Support.
- The Building Blocks Extension scheme began in 2025, with 50 projects selected for funding to expand or develop childcare premises.
- The Bia Blasta pre-school nutrition programme was introduced, delivering daily healthy lunches in more than 470 Equal Start settings.
- Work started on a tailored Access and Inclusion Model for children aged 0-3 in early learning settings.
- The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund continued, with more than 700 applicants supported since 2024 for Level 7 and 8 qualifications.
Family supports, leave and child wellbeing remain central
A major theme in the First 5 Progress Report is the effort to make family life more manageable for parents. Ireland now provides a combined 46 weeks of paid family leave for two-parent families through maternity, paternity and parent’s leave arrangements, alongside unpaid leave options.
Budget changes also increased weekly Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive and Parent’s Benefit rates to €289 in 2025, rising to €299 in 2026. These measures fall within the broader work of Social Protection and Finance, while flexible working reforms are being supported through the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) code of practice.
Tusla also advanced a new model of local integrated service delivery, including family support teams and new parenting support roles. Children and Young People’s Services Committees expanded awareness of local parenting supports, backed by a dedicated fund rolled out nationwide.
Child health and anti-poverty actions
The First 5 Progress Report also details new progress in child health. Work is underway on a dedicated child health workforce, while investment has supported postnatal hubs, specialist midwives and improvements to maternity care. Mental health supports expanded too, with hundreds of practitioners trained through the Togetherness programme.
Meanwhile, the National Childcare Scheme supported almost 247,000 children in 2025. The report links this work to wider anti-poverty efforts, including local child poverty action plans and commitments under Ireland’s EU Child Guarantee framework.
Why the First 5 Progress Report matters
The First 5 Progress Report matters because it offers a practical snapshot of how policy is being turned into real services for families. From childcare infrastructure and educator training to nutrition, health and flexible work supports, the report shows how multiple agencies are contributing to one national goal.
For parents, providers and policymakers following gov.ie developments, the message is clear: the State is continuing to build a more affordable, accessible and responsive system for children’s earliest years. As the First 5 Progress Report moves into its next phase, delivery and coordination will be critical to ensuring those commitments are felt in communities across Ireland.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
