Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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488. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of unique children availing of NCS in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [7619/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare. It is available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla registered childcare service, including any Tusla registered childminder.

The success of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in meeting families needs is evidenced through the increased level of participation in the Scheme. In 2023, a total of 181,786 unique children benefited from a successful NCS claim - a 47% increase on the previous year.

A breakdown of the number of unique children with a successful claim is detailed below according to year:

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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489. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of unique children that are enrolled in an ECCE service, also availing of an NCS subsidy for 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [7620/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The figures supplied by the scheme administrator Pobal in the table below show the total number of unique children that are enrolled in an ECCE service, also availing of an NCS subsidy for the programme year 2022/23 and for 2023/24 to date.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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490. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of unique children that are in a sponsorship arrangement through the NCS for 2022 and 2023; the full year cost for 2022 and 2023; the cost per child of these sponsorship arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7621/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Sponsorship arrangement available under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) makes special provision for vulnerable children.

The NCS Sponsorship arrangement allows designated bodies to refer children to the Scheme where childcare is needed on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a referral is made by a Sponsor body, the family will automatically qualify for a subsidy without having to satisfy the Scheme’s eligibility, income or enhanced hours requirements. The Scheme will pay the full cost of the childcare for families referred to the Scheme by a Sponsor Body.

A full breakdown of the number of unique children receiving Sponsorship in the specified years, along with the total value of successful claims, and average value claimed is detailed below.

It is important to note that the value claimed per individual child will depend on the age of the child and the number of hours claimed.

Finally, it may be of interest to note that Sponsorship rates will increase as part of Budget 2024 measures. Increased rates will take effect from 2 September 2024.