Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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609. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of school-aged children given standard hours and enhanced hours, respectively, since September 2020 under the national childcare scheme. [44707/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to help parents to meet the cost of childcare and to support better outcomes for children. The schemes objectives are to promote (i) a reduction in child poverty, (ii) positive child development outcomes, (iii) labour market activation and (iv) improved quality.

The NCS is designed to be highly inclusive and to meet the needs of those families who need it the most. The NCS is based on the principle of progressive universalism and has regard to the best interests of children.

By making this fundamental shift away from the legacy schemes where subsidies are grounded in medical card and social protection entitlements, and by tangibly reducing the cost of quality childcare for thousands of families, the NCS aims to improve children's outcomes, improve labour market participation and reduce child poverty. It is a central policy component of the NCS to poverty proof and assist people in exiting the poverty trap.

Within this framework, an income-related subsidy is payable for children up to 15 years of age. The subsidy level is determined by the family's income and the child's age. The number of hours subsidised is determined by the parent's employment or education arrangements.

The standard hours available are up to a maximum of 20 hours per week and children are eligible if at least one parent or guardian is not in work, education or training.

The enhanced hours available are up to a maximum of 45 hours per week where both of a child's parents or guardians are in work, education or training.

The NCS acknowledges that childcare needs differ widely across families and offering subsidies at an hourly rate allows for flexible childcare arrangements to be made based on parental needs.

With regard to the specific questions raised:

- 568 school age children have received the NCS standard hours award since September 2020.

- 12,080 school age children have received NCS enhanced hours since September 2020.