Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
625. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a matter regarding the case of a childcare centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44897/20]
View answerSubsidies under the National Childcare Scheme are available year-round, and most are renewable on an annual basis.
However, on the NCS parent portal, there is a difference between renewing an application and beginning a brand new application.
A parent can choose to renew their current NCS award within the six week renewal window. Where a parent completes their application renewal within the application window, their current NCS award will continue until its expiry date, and the new CHICK will be valid immediately after this date. This means that there is no gap in subsidy when an award is renewed in good time.
To renew an application, a parent should log in to the NCS parent portal, select the 'My Applications' section to view their submitted applications. Here, a parent can select their currently-active application and select the refresh button to begin the renewal process.
It appears based on the new information provided that the applicant opted to commence a new application rather than renew their existing award. As one family obviously cannot have two active awards, when an applicant receives a new award, this will invalidate their current NCS award at the end of the week. If the new CHICK is not registered with a childcare provider, the payment of subsidies will cease with the expiry of the old CHICK.
Whether a parent completes a renewal or a brand new application, in either case they will receive a notification from the NCS system informing them of the next steps they are required to take in order to avail of their subsidy.
The NCS Parent Support Centre remains available to assist parents and can be contacted on 01 906 8530.
