Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are available for families who rely on theprovision of crèche facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36531/22]

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 and to support better outcomes for children.

There are two types of subsidies available under the NCS:

The Universal Subsidyis currently available to all families with children under 3 years old and will extended to all families with children under 15 in September 2022. This subsidy is not means tested and provides 50c per hour towards the cost of childcare, which is worth up to €1, 100 per annum for a child in full time childcare.

Income Assessed Subsidiesare available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and varies depending on family income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in the family. Income accessed subsidies can cover up the full cost of childcare.

Further information and resources for parents is available at www.ncs.gov.ie.

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal free two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year and 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year. ECCE provides 3 hours of free early learning and care a day, for 5 days a week over 38 weeks.

With regard to non-financial supports available for parents, my Department funds a national network of County Childcare Committees (CCCs) who provide support and advice to parents on all aspects of early learning and childcare, including advice on high quality childcare, help in finding a place and assistance in applying for the NCS.

The contact details for the CCCs can be found on myccc.gov.ie.