Children’s Education Funds: Invest in Their Future
The cost of raising a child in Ireland keeps climbing, from everyday expenses to third-level education fees that now run into tens of thousands of euros a year for students living away from home. Planning ahead is the best way to give your child real financial support when they need it most.
That's where we come in. We help you invest regularly and tax-efficiently through Children’s Education Fund, building a secure foundation for whatever lies ahead, whether that's college, a first home or another of life's big milestones. Starting early is the single biggest advantage you can give them.
Let's take control of your child's future together, get in touch today.
How a Children’s Investment Plan Works
What is a Bare Trust and how does it save tax?
A Children's Investment Plan lets parents, grandparents or guardians set money aside in a structured, tax-efficient way using a Bare Trust, a legal arrangement where the savings belong to the child while you retain control until they come of age (18 or 21 in some cases).
Because the money is legally the child's, you can make full use of Ireland's annual Gift Tax exemption:
€3,000 per year from an individual
€6,000 per year from a married couple
Those contributions grow over time across a diverse range of investment funds, helping you stay ahead of inflation and build meaningful long-term returns.
For example: if both parents and two grandparents each gift €3,000 a year, that's €12,000 tax-free annually, compounding over the years into a substantial sum for your child's future.
Not sure how to structure it? We'll walk you through every step.
Investing Your Monthly Child Benefit
Could your Child Benefit cover college one day?
Many parents we work with quietly redirect their €140 monthly Child Benefit straight into an investment plan, a simple, disciplined habit that adds up remarkably over time.
Saving €140 a month, before any investment growth, builds:
Over 10 years = €16,800 saved (excluding investment growth) {€140 per month x 12 months x 10 years}
Over 18 years = €30,240 saved (excluding investment growth) {€140 per month x 12 months x 18 years}
Add investment growth on top, and those savings could significantly reduce, or even fully cover, the cost of third-level education. We'll help you set it up to run automatically, so it works without you having to think about it.
Why a Bare Trust Works So Well
What are the benefits of a Bare Trust for children's savings?
A Bare Trust is one of the most effective ways to save for a child, and what sets it apart is the freedom and tax efficiency it offers:
It's 100% the child's- the funds belong to them outright, avoiding future tax complications for you.
It's tax-efficient- making full use of the annual Gift Tax exemption means no unnecessary tax on contributions.
It has no restrictions on use- unlike State Savings schemes, the funds can go toward anything once the child reaches legal ownership age: tuition, rent, living costs or a head start in life.
We will help you set it up, so it does exactly what you need it to.
Small Habits That Boost Your Child's Savings
How can everyday choices grow your child's fund?
You don't need large sums to make a real difference, small, consistent changes compound powerfully over time.
Make budgeting work for you. Skipping a €5 daily coffee saves €730 a year, that's €13,140 over 18 years before any investment growth.
Make saving rewarding. Match what your child saves (say €5 for every €10 they put away) or offer a small bonus for hitting a goal. It's a gentle introduction to how investments, pensions, and compounding work later in life.
Teaching Your Child Smart Money Habits
How do you raise a financially confident child?
Good money habits start young and the best lessons feel more like fun than finance:
Help them save pocket money- a see-through piggy bank or credit union account makes their savings visible and real.
Set exciting goals- saving toward a bike, a games console or a first car teaches patience and purpose.
Let them earn it - chores-for-savings connects effort with reward.
Introduce simple budgeting- show how each spending choice shapes what's left to save.
Make it engage, and you are setting your child up for a lifetime of financial confidence.
Secure Your Child's Financial Future, Start Today
A well-structured Children's Savings Plan means your child has the funds they need for college, a first home or whatever matters most, without unnecessary tax burdens standing in the way.
Let's build a savings strategy shaped around your child's future. Get in touch today to talk through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The cost of educating a child through to third level in Ireland runs into tens of thousands of euro, especially for students living away from home, and continues to rise with inflation. Starting to save early is the most effective way to stay ahead of it.
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A Bare Trust is a legal arrangement where savings are held in a child's name while a parent or guardian retains control until the child comes of age (18, or 21 in some cases). The funds belong entirely to the child, making it a tax-efficient way to save.
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A Bare Trust belongs 100% to the child, avoiding future tax complications for the parent. It makes full use of the annual Gift Tax exemption, and unlike State Savings schemes, the funds can be used for any purpose once the child reaches legal ownership age.
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Ireland's Gift Tax exemption allows €3,000 per year from an individual, or €6,000 from a married couple, to be gifted tax-free. Used within a Bare Trust, multiple family members can contribute, building significant tax-free savings for a child over time.
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Yes. Many parents redirect their monthly Child Benefit into an investment plan. Saved consistently over 10 to 18 years and combined with investment growth, this disciplined habit can significantly reduce or fully cover future third-level education costs.
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Make it engaging: use a see-through piggy bank or credit union account to make saving visible, set exciting goals, link chores to rewards, and introduce simple budgeting. Matching their savings also gently introduces how investing and compounding work.
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As early as possible. Starting early gives contributions far more time to compound, meaning smaller, regular amounts can grow into a substantial sum for education, a first home, or other milestones, while helping you stay ahead of rising costs.
Trusted Partnerships
We work with some of the top Insurance and Financial Investment companies in Ireland:
