Childcare Subsidies Now Available

Chris, you know it ain’t easy…

atest press release from The National Childcare Scheme, issued on Thursday, September 8th 2022…

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help with your childcare costs.

There are two types of childcare subsidy for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age:

• A universal subsidy which is not means tested.

• An income-assessed subsidy which is means tested.

Universal subsidies are available to all families with children between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. This subsidy is not means tested and provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.

Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on your individual circumstances. Your rate will vary depending on your level of family income, your child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in your family.

If you (and your partner, if you have one) are working, studying or training, the maximum number of subsidised hours available per week are 45.

If you (or your partner, if you have one) are not working, studying or training, the maximum number of subsidised hours available per week are 20.

Your subsidy can be used outside of school or ECCE hours, for example:

• childcare used before preschool or school starts in the morning (e.g. breakfast club)

• after-school childcare

• childcare used outside of preschool or school term weeks

What you will need to apply online:

• A verified MyGovID account

• Your children’s information such as date of birth and PPSN

• Your employment and income related details

• Your partner’s PPSN**

• Your partner’s employment and income related details**

**if you are a member of a couple

To see what you might be eligible for you can use the Childcare Subsidy Calculator.

You can apply online for the subsidy here using your MyGovID. See the Application Guide for assistance on how to apply.

To make a paper application, please contact the NCS Parent Support Centre on 019068530. The Parent Support Centre will then send you an application form by post.

Your childcare provider, including childminders and school-age childcare services, must be registered with Tusla and have a National Childcare Scheme contract with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The subsidy will be paid directly to your childcare provider. Your provider then will subtract your subsidy from your childcare bill.

You can use the Childcare Search Function to search the full list of NCS childcare service providers. You can also view the services’ fees for both NCS and ECCE on this page.