Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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156. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the options available to parents whose creche or preschool provider does not allow for part time attendance, and so charge parents for full time attendance; the way in which this operates in terms of the national childcare scheme; if parents who have no alternative options can qualify for coverage of the full 45 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50651/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Many families avail of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) as a way to reduce the cost of their early learning and childcare.

NCS subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be paid for. It should be noted that early learning and childcare providers are private entities and set their own fees; those signed up as Partner Services are required to comply with Core Funding fee caps. It is also between the parent and provider to agree on the hours of childcare based on the family's requirements.

My Department will commence an evaluation of the NCS this year. As part of this evaluation the NCS rules will be examined to identify ways in which parents can be further supported with their childcare costs. The Department is also developing an Action Plan to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare system, further details of which will be announced in due course.

Finally, I would advise parents who are experiencing difficulty in finding a suitable childcare place to contact their local City and County Childcare Committee (CCC) who can advise them of alternative arrangements in their area. Further details can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/.