Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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539. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that a child's hours in a full-time creche needs to be recorded; if the subsidy will be affected if parents collect their children earlier from the creche; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15459/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The National Childcare Scheme is designed to be flexible and acknowledge that childcare needs differ widely across different families. NCS subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be paid for. This means that if an applicant receives an award for 20 hours, the subsidy could be used for four half-day sessions (8am – 1pm). Alternatively, the same award could be used for two full-day sessions (8am-6pm)

The actual subsidy payment is based on the hours agreed between the parent and provider, and claimed by the provider on the NCS system.

Given the large amount of public money that is invested by the Exchequer in funding the Scheme, there must be an appropriate level of oversight and accountability. Further, in relation to attendance records, this requirement is not just a means of safeguarding public money; early learning and childcare providers must agree to maintain daily records for each child as per Tusla requirements. The accurate recording of a child’s attendance is a core obligation under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.

The subsidy is not affected if parents collect their children earlier from crèche occasionally. To clarify, a certain level of under-attendance is permitted under the NCS. The Scheme recognises that there are many reasons why a child's attendance may occasionally be less than their agreed hours due to, for example, illness or appointments - or a parent being able to collect their child earlier than usual.

The Scheme incorporates rules in relation to circumstances where a child is continuously absent from a service, or not fully using the agreed place over a prolonged period. These rules are intended to reflect the realities of family life in a child-centred, fair and proportionate manner.

Where a child is not fully using the agreed place, the NCS allows for an eight-week cycle of under-attendance. This is broken after a child resumes their full number of subsidised hours in one week. As long as the under-attendance is broken by one full week of attendance, the subsidy will remain unchanged.