Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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253. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of childcare identifier code key (chick codes) that were issued by the national childcare sponsorship scheme in 2023; the number of these codes that were activated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23458/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) sponsorship arrangement allows designated sponsor bodies to refer children to the Scheme on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a child is referred to the Scheme, the full cost of the childcare place is paid without cost to the family.

The total number of childcare identifier code key (CHICK codes) with application type of Sponsor with a calculation date in the calendar year 2023 was: 7,871. The number of these CHICKs with a successful claim was 6,218.

The number of CHICKs issued under the NCS sponsorship in 2023 was defined as the number of CHICKs with a calculation date between 01/01/2023 and 31/12/2023 with application type of Sponsor. The number of these codes that were activated was defined as the number of those CHICKs with a calculation date in 2023 with at least one claim that was eligible for payment following submission of attendance returns by the service provider. Parental Confirmation is not required for Sponsored children.

It should be noted that a child may have more than one CHICK in this period (for example a sponsor child where the referral is renewed results in a second CHICK code for that child).