Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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368. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of her plans for affordable childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10276/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is progressing a range of actions to reduce the cost of early learning and childcare to families.

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is the primary measure aimed at reducing costs. Through the provision of both universal and targeted subsidies, the Scheme is progressive in nature ensuring the highest levels of subsidies go to families that need them most. As of September 2024, the minimum hourly subsidy available under the NCS was raised from €1.40 to €2.14 meaning families using 45 hours will receive a minimum of €93.60 per week.

Fee controls, in place in almost 93% of early learning and childcare services as a result of Core Funding scheme, ensures that the investment in the NCS has resulted in real change for parents and not been unnecessarily absorbed by fee increases.

Record numbers of children and their families are now benefiting from the NCS. Over 178,000 children have benefited from a subsidy under the Scheme this year so far.

This includes children in childminding settings that have started to come forward for registration, following changes to the childminder Tusla registration requirements last September.

Additionally, the ECCE Programme continues to provide 2 free years of childcare for families and enjoys uptake rates in excess of 96%.

Data from the OECD shows a reduction in the proportion of childcare costs relative to their net income of 9% for couples and 47% for lone parents, between 2018 and 2023. The change in 2024 will further reduce these figures meaning early learning and childcare will take less from these families net income.

My Department is committed to continuing to improve affordability and reach the €200 per month cap for parental fees within the lifetime of the Government.