Early years childcare shortage in Louth raised with Ó Murchú

Early Childhood Ireland met yesterday with Louth representative Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú from Sinn Féin.

The discussion with its CEO, Teresa Heeney, and the organisation’s policy team focused on Early Childhood Ireland’s Budget 2026 priorities for Early Years and School Age Care, including the importance of improving access to these services for every child in Louth.

“I was delighted to meet with Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú to discuss priorities for Early Years and School Age Care in Louth and beyond,” Teresa Heeney, CEO at Early Childhood Ireland, said.

“Our priorities for Early Years and School Age Care have the potential to be life-changing for more than 5,700 children attending settings in Louth today and for generations to come,” she added.

Early Childhood Ireland says that every child in Ireland should have access to high-quality Early Years and School Age Care as a basic right. New figures released by Pobal show that over 950 children in Louth under the age of three are on waiting lists to access care and education.

Read Next: Louth County Council announces temporary road closures in Dundalk

Also commenting, Frances Byrne, Director of Policy, said, “The waiting list data reveals just how urgent it is to resolve the accessibility issues in the Early Years and School Age Care system and ensure there are enough places for children in their communities.”

“Early Childhood Ireland was delighted to meet Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú, and we look forward to further constructive engagement with them on these topics moving forward,” concluded Ms Byrne.