PRESS RELEASE
Minister Foley urges childminders in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to avail of equipment grant
04 February 2025
Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is today calling on all childminders in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to avail of the 2025 Childminding Development Grant.
The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes.
In 2024, the grants Childminders in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown received assisted them in enhancing the quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) education. The grant was also used for the purchase of IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes.
The grant scheme is open to all childminders, including those who are planning to open a childminding business during 2025. 75% of the grant is paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.
Making today’s announcement, Minister Foley said:
“I am delighted to announce the launch of the 2025 Childminding Development Grant as one of the first actions in my term of office as Minister.
“Childminders play an essential part in the provision of childcare in all parts of the country, and I am fully committed to recognising and supporting their important role, and to following through on the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028.
What is a Childminder Development Capital Grant (CMDG)?
The CMDG is a small capital grant designed to assist existing and potential childminders to enhance safety and quality in their childminding service. The 2025 CMDG also includes an IT grant.
Restricted applications
Childminders can apply for up to €1,000 annually. However, due to the expected lifespan of larger capital items, these cannot be purchased annually. Please see eligible expenditure list and FAQ document for further details.
Who is eligible to apply for the funding?
All existing or potential childminders. Where a Childminder is subject to the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and (Early Years Services) (Registrations of School Age) Regulations 2018, the service must be registered with Tusla before applying.
What funding is available under the CMDG?
A grant of up to €1,000 is available to eligible childminders annually. Childminders can apply for the full Childminding Development Grant amount every year however only certain items may be purchased on an annual basis. (See eligible expenditure below and FAQ document). If the CMDG national budget is oversubscribed, an applicant may receive a lesser amount than applied for. Successful applicants are paid 75% of the grant in advance, the applicant must spend 100% of the grant approved and the remaining 25% is paid in arrears. Following submission and approval of the CMDG Expenditure Report and receipts for the full amount granted, the remaining up to 25% is paid to the childminder.
What can the CMDG be used for?
The CMDG can be used to purchase items that enhance safety and quality in the childminding service. The 2025 CMDG also includes provision for purchase of certain IT equipment, subject to conditions. The following list gives examples of the different types of costs that are eligible and ineligible for the grant. If you are unsure of eligible spend, contact your local City/County Childcare Committee for support.
Post application information
Eligible expenditure is between Monday 19th May and Friday 3rd October 2025
All successful applicants are required to complete a CMDG Expenditure Report after spending the full grant, or the amount required. The final deadline for submission of this report is Friday 3rd October 2025.
Unspent/Ineligible Funding Procedure
If a successful applicant ceases/does not begin childminding by the 1st September, CCC will take the necessary steps to recoup the funding in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in these guidelines.
Eligible Expenditure(This is not an exhaustive list) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eligible Spend
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Ineligible expenditure (This is not an exhaustive list) | ||
· Ineligible Expenditure
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The 2025 Grant is now open.
20250131-CMDG-2025-applicant-guidelines
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) announced the launch of the 2025 Childminder Development Grant (CMDG) The Minister’s Press release can be viewed below:
How to apply
It is recommended that you contact your local City/County Childcare Committee to discuss your application.
Post application information
Unspent/Ineligible funding Procedure
Appeals
Oversubscription Procedure:
If the CMDG funding is oversubscribed all successful applicants will receive an equal percentage of the grant amount applied for on their CMDG application. This percentage will be determined by the reduction required to bring the CMDG national total down to the funding level available.
Updated 10/02/2025
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