Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1828. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of all services, grants, loans and payments available to individuals or households funded by her Department and agencies under her remit; the eligibility requirements and any conditionality for receiving the service, grant, loan or payment (details supplied); and the monetary value, or range of values, of the service, grant, loans or payment, where applicable. [19167/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provide the following supports within these areas;

‘Early Years’ Units

ECCE

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a free two year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date. A valid PPSN and date of birth are required to register a child on the ECCE programme.

NCS

The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to help families with their early learning and childcare costs. The scheme, which was introduced in November 2019, has been designed on the principle of progressive universalism ensuring that families on the lowest incomes receive the greatest level of support.

There are two types of subsidies available to families:

• Universal subsidies are available to all families with children between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. This subsidy is not means tested.
• Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on the applicant’s individual circumstances. The rate will vary depending on the level of family income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in a family. To benefit from an Income Assessed subsidy, the applicant’s reckonable family income has to be less than €60,000.

The Scheme also includes a Sponsorship arrangement which allows designated bodies to refer children to the Scheme on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds.

‘Alternative Care Policy’ Unit

Foster Care Allowance

Presently foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. It is paid in respect of the child and provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child's daily living needs, including food, clothing, basic travel, education costs and hobbies and sports activities.

Foster care allowances from Tusla are not taken into account in the means test for social welfare payments and are not taxable.

Aftercare Allowance

Legislative provision for aftercare has been strengthened by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015, which imposed a statutory duty on Tusla to prepare an aftercare plan for an eligible child or eligible young person, following an assessment of need. The Act created an explicit statement of Tusla’s duty to satisfy itself as to the child’s or young person’s need for assistance by preparing a plan that identifies those needs for aftercare supports.

Eligible care leavers may be entitled to an aftercare allowance from Tusla when they are transitioning from foster care and towards independent living. The allowance currently amounts to €300 a week and is dependent on the eligible young adult attending an accredited education course, third level course or training programme as outlined in the young adult’s Aftercare Plan.

The allowance is provided to cover a young adults day to day costs, including accommodation as they progress in their chosen accredited course or training program. Continuing in further education or training entitles the young person to receive the aftercare allowance even after they turn 21 and up until 23 years of age.

Aftercare Grant

Eligible young adults leaving foster care are also entitled to an aftercare grant. The aftercare grant is a once off payment paid to the eligible adult when they leave placement and is to assist with rent/ deposit and startup costs associated with initial moving home expenses.