Minister Foley Announces Opening of Applications for the 2026 Nurturing Skills Learner Fund
- Published on: 10 March 2026
- Last updated on: 10 March 2026
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley has today announced the opening of applications for the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2026.
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund will cover 90 per cent of the course fees for early years educators who undertake a degree course. They can study the course over a four-year period while continuing their regular daily work within the early learning and care sector.
The Fund aims to enhance the quality of early learning and care services, while supporting the professional development of early years educators, developing career pathways, and supporting recruitment and retention of staff in the sector.
Announcing the opening of applications, Minister Foley said:
“I am pleased to announce the opening of the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2026, which advances the Programme for Government, commitment to ‘remove barriers in education and training for early years educators to broaden access to the profession’.”
“The Fund provides up to 90% of course fees for early years educators undertaking an approved degree‑level qualification while continuing their valuable work within the sector.”
“There is a wealth of talent, dedication, and professionalism across the early years sector. I am committed to ensuring that opportunities for further study and upskilling are accessible and do not create additional financial pressures for staff. The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund offers an excellent pathway for educators wishing to pursue a degree-level qualification. I strongly encourage all eligible educators and practitioners to avail of this opportunity, and I extend my best wishes to everyone commencing their studies.”
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund is co-funded by the European Union through the EIST programme 2021 to 2027. Since its inception in 2024 the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund has been in a position to offer financial support over 700 applicants. This new application process will provide more than 350 new places. The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund aims to help meet the Government objective of achieving a graduate-led workforce in early learning and care services by 2028.
Current data indicates that the proportion of early years educators with a relevant degree qualification has risen from 12% in 2012 to 39% in 2025. (latest figures please) Nurturing Skills aims to increase this proportion to at least 50% by 2028.
Under this scheme, funding will be provided directly to approved higher education institutions on behalf of the early years educators to reduce the upfront costs of studying for them at level 7 or 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
It is designed to complement and add to other government financial supports, such as the Free Fees Initiative and SUSI grants, which early years educators can also qualify for depending on their circumstances.
Funding opportunities for early years educators to upskill was a key commitment in Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028. Nurturing Skills aims to build on the significant progress already made in raising skill levels across the workforce.
First 5, the whole-of-government strategy for babies, young children and their families, also recognises that the workforce is at the heart of high-quality early learning and care sector.
Further information on the Nurturing Skills Learner fund can be found at Home | Nurturing Skills
Notes to the Editor
- The reports mentioned are available at www.gov.ie/nurturingskills and https://www.first5.gov.ie/
- Further information on the ESF+ programme in Ireland in available at https://eufunds.ie/
- To be eligible for financial support, courses must have been approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board for the ELC sector https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/c2e6b-qualifications-advisory-board-qab-for-the-early-learning-and-care-elc-sector/