The Childminding Development Grant is now closed
The 2024 Childminding Development Grant is closed but important points in relation to it are below.
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, announced that the 2024 Childminding Development Grant (CMDG) in the press release below. This Grant is available to existing and potential childminders on a yearly basis and is up to €1,000.
Some very important points to note in relation the the 2024 Grant:
- Closing date for applications is Friday 7th June 2024
- Grant Agreements will begin to issue with confirmation of total grant approval and payment timelines Week beginning Monday 15 July
- Applicants must spend 100% of the grant approval, or a lesser amount if the full award is no longer required, between Monday 22 July 2024 and Friday 4 October 2024.
- Eligible expenditure is only between Monday 22 July 2024 and Friday 4 October 2024. Any expenditure outside of this period will be deemed ineligible.
- 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 18 October 2024.
- 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.
You can read the full details of Eligible Expenditure and a Frequently Asked Question Document by clicking through to the links.
If you have any questions about this Grant, please email us on
PRESS RELEASE
Minister O’Gorman launches the Childminding Development Grants for 2024
Funding available increased to €500,000
16 May 2024
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the opening of the 2024 Childminding Development Grant.
The total budget of €500,000 is double the budget announced in 2023. This increase reflects the high demand for the Grant in 2023. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to support childminders to prepare for the planned extension of regulation, subsidies and supports to childminders from this autumn, in line with the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028.
The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes.
The Grant aims to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths), as well as IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes later in the year.
The grants are open to all childminders, including those who are planning to open a childminding business in 2024. 75% of the grant is paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.
Making today’s announcement, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said:
“I am delighted to announce the launch of the 2024 Childminding Development Grant. I am committed to putting positive supports in place to help childminders, and the doubling of the budget for the Grant this year reflects this.
“In addition to quality and safety measures, this year childminders can apply for an IT grant, in advance of registration which will be opening to childminders later this year. Registration of childminders is a key component of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028.”
For further information about the Childminder Development Grant or the National Action Plan for Childminding, visit www.gov.ie/childminding or contact your local City or County Childcare Committee.