Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

96. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide data on the new national childcare scheme to demonstrate participation and average subsidy rates for January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6042/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, Budget 2023 has introduced a major reform to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) from January 2023, which will substantially improve the affordability of early learning and childcare for families.

From 2 January, all families accessing registered early learning and childcare receive a minimum hourly NCS subsidy of €1.40. With the previous minimum hourly NCS subsidy set at €0.50 per hour, this represents an additional €0.90 per hour off the cost of early learning and childcare.

From this date, any family on the universal or income assessed subsidy who was not already at the maximum hourly rate under the Scheme will have seen an increase in their subsidy. For those who receive an income assessed subsidy, the amount of the increase will taper down as they approach the maximum hourly rate. The exact reduction in costs will be unique to each family depending on their individual circumstances, and their early learning and childcare needs.

In terms of participation, a total of 108,369 children have benefited from the NCS in January 2023. This compares to a total of 54,907 children who benefitted from the Scheme for the same period in 2022. This represents a 97% increase in the number of children benefitting from a successful claim as of this January.

A further breakdown of these figures also demonstrate the impact of the recent extension to the universal subsidy. From September 2022, all children under 15 may avail of the universal subsidy. In January 2023, a total of 48,508 children benefitted from the subsidy – an increase of 35,908 children when compared to the previous year.

Lastly, in terms of subsidy rates, the average weekly income assessed subsidies was €70.04 in January 2023 – an increase of 8% from the previous year. The average universal subsidy for the same period was €34.88 – an increase of 91% compared to the previous year.

Parents not currently availing of the Scheme may apply online for the subsidy using their MyGovID at ncs.gov.ie. Alternatively, parents may contact the NCS Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530.