All parents using Tusla-registered childcare services are being urged to make sure they are getting their full entitlement to subsidies, which could cut thousands of euros off their childcare bills each year.
17,873 children in Cork city and county received subsidies towards the cost of their childcare under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in 2023, with more than €23 million paid to early learning and childcare providers in Cork city and county to reduce parents’ fees. The figures in County Limerick is 7,908 children who received subsidies in 2023; 7,835 children in County Tipperary and 4,368 children in County Waterford.
SEPTEMBER INCREASE
Currently, the minimum hourly subsidy is €1.40 an hour and it will be increasing to €2.14 in September. This will mean families using full time care (45 hours a week) will receive a minimum of €5,000 a year off their bill per child. Many families can receive an Income Assessed Award, which is based on household income, which can be as high €12,000 per year for those using full-time care.
Families who would like to know if their childcare provider is registered for the NCS can access the Childcare Search Service on the NCS website, at www.NCS.gov.ie, where they can also see the providers’ fees list. Families will also find information on how to apply for the NCS.
Families who want some more support in how to apply can contact their county childcare committees – a local government funded support designed to help families access childcare supports. The scheme administrator, Pobal, also run a helpline to provide support and guidance to parents in relation to the NCS. The Parent Support Centre can be contacted on 01 906 8530 – Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
