2026 Programme for Support Organisations to Early Learning & Care/ School Age Childcare and Childminding Sector

The purpose of the Programme for Support Organisations to Early Learning & Care/ School Age Childcare and Childminding Sector is to enable organisations that support the early years sector to submit a proposal to apply for funding for work that they will undertake to directly facilitate and support, or to compliment, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) Early Years policy objectives in 2026.

The Programme is open to non-governmental organisations or not for profit organisations , that are registered charities, with special interests and expertise in the Early Learning and Care, School Aged Childcare (ELC/SAC) and/or Childminding sector.

DCEDIY is looking for innovative solutions or supports within 12 designated overarching themes and proposals may be submitted by individual support organisations or by a consortium.

The application process is designed in one phase which will encompass:

• Organisational Eligibility
• Proposal Review

Please direct any Programme queries to the following email address EYSupportOrgs@equality.gov.ieThe Department will aim to respond to all queries within 2 business days.

Application Form:

Guidance Document:

The completed Proposal Application (in PDF format) must be submitted via email to EYSupportOrgs@equality.gov.ie by Friday, 6 June at 3pm.