Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides subsidies to parents in order to help reduce the cost of early learning and childcare. Under the NCS, subsidies are available for families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla registered childcare service in the Republic of Ireland, including any Tusla registered childminder and school age childcare services.

Early learning and childcare services based in Northern Ireland cannot participate in the NCS or any other childcare support measures funded by the State. In order for an early learning and childcare provider to participate in the NCS, they must first meet two conditions:

They must be registered with Tusla under Section 58C of the Child Care Act 1991 to provide early years services at that address, and;

There must be a contract in force between the Minister and the childcare service provider in relation to the provision of childcare services under the NCS.

Should this family wish to avail of the NCS, they must register with an early learning and childcare service in the Republic of Ireland which meets the above criteria. A Childcare Search function is available on www.ncs.gov.ie which details a list of participating services offering the NCS. Alternatively, the family may contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for support and advice. The CCC’s contact details may be found on www.myccc.ie.