Minister Norma Foley has published the 2025 update on gov.ie for First 5, Ireland’s whole-of-government strategy designed to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. The new First 5 progress report outlines how departments and public bodies are expanding childcare, parenting support, child health measures and family income supports as the State works toward its 2019–2028 goals.
Issued by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the report tracks delivery across a broad policy network that includes Health, Social Protection, Education, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and local service structures. It also highlights how implementation is being supported by agencies such as Tusla, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in areas linked to child wellbeing, parental leave and flexible working.
First 5 progress report highlights major 2025 developments
The latest First 5 progress report shows continued movement on childcare access, affordability and quality. Two major plans for early learning and care and school-age childcare were launched in 2025, aimed at improving standards while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens on providers.
- Shaping the Future sets out the next steps toward a more affordable, accessible and high-quality childcare system.
- Simplify and Support is designed to streamline regulation and administration across the sector.
- The Building Blocks Extension Scheme began in 2025, with 50 projects approved to expand or develop early learning and care and school-age childcare facilities.
- The Bia Blasta pre-school nutrition programme launched across more than 470 Equal Start settings in disadvantaged communities.
- Work started on a tailored Access and Inclusion Model for children aged 0 to 3 in early learning settings.
The report also confirms that more than 700 applicants have been supported through the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund since its launch in 2024, helping educators and practitioners pursue Level 7 and 8 qualifications.
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Parenting, leave and child poverty supports expanded
Beyond childcare settings, the First 5 progress report points to broader supports for families. Children and Young People’s Services Committees continued coordinating local services nationwide, backed by a Parenting Supports Awareness Fund rolled out across all 27 CYPSCs. The Parents Peer Support Fund also increased by 33% in 2025, bringing total available funding to €100,000.
On family leave, the State now provides a combined 46 weeks of paid leave for two-parent families through maternity, paternity and parent’s leave and benefit arrangements. Payment rates for key family-related benefits rose to €289 a week in 2025, with a further increase set for 2026 through Social Protection measures linked to Budget decisions and wider Finance planning.
Flexible and remote working also forms part of the picture. The government said the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, supported by a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) code of practice, is helping parents better balance caring and employment responsibilities.
Child health and early intervention measures
The First 5 progress report notes continued work on a dedicated child health workforce, with recommendations already shared with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality. At the same time, investment is supporting new postnatal hubs, additional specialist midwives, and maternity service improvements. The report also highlights early mental health progress, including training for hundreds of practitioners under the Togetherness programme.
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Why the First 5 progress report matters
The First 5 progress report is significant because it measures whether Ireland is turning long-term promises into practical support for families. In 2025, almost 247,000 children benefited from the National Childcare Scheme, and further changes due from September 2026 are expected to widen access and increase subsidies for lower-income households.
The report also links with wider anti-poverty goals, including Ireland’s EU Child Guarantee Action Plan and pilot Local Area Child Poverty Action Plans in several counties. Taken together, the First 5 progress report suggests the government is continuing to invest in early years policy not only through the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, but also across Health, Education and Social Protection systems.
For parents, providers and policymakers, the key takeaway is clear: the First 5 progress report shows that early childhood remains a central national priority, with further delivery now critical through 2028.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
