Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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780. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department have given any further consideration to improving flexibility in the NCS scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54950/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Many families use the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) to help reduce the cost of early learning and childcare. Under the Scheme, subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, with a maximum number of weekly hours for which the subsidy applies.

The Scheme enables parents and services to agree on care arrangements as required. Discussion and agreement between parents and providers on the provision of childcare hours that suit individual families' needs, are a matter for parents and providers.

This system ensures public funds are used efficiently while recognising the real-life circumstances of families.

The NCS is designed to be flexible, recognising that children’s attendance may vary from week to week. Only if a child consistently attends fewer than their agreed hours for a consecutive 12-week period will the subsidy be reviewed. Specifically, if under-attendance is recorded for 8 weeks in a row, a warning will be issued. If the child then resumes full attendance for a week, no changes are made. However, if under-attendance continues for another 4 weeks, the award will be adjusted to reflect the average number of hours attended over the 12-week period.

Finally, an evaluation of the NCS is due to start this year. This evaluation will review how the Scheme has performed to date, the current ruleset and identify any potential enhancements that could be made to better support families. As part of this evaluation, the NCS attendance rules will be examined. Any changes to the NCS will be informed by a thorough review of international literature and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.