Kathleen Funchion
Question:166. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if services will continue to receive individual payments for children through the NCS. [8575/22]
View answerWednesday, 16 February 2022
Questions (166)
Written answers
While the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is an initiative of my Department, a Scheme Administrator has been engaged to manage the operation of the Scheme on my Department’s behalf. Pobal acts in this capacity as Scheme Administrator, and makes payments to providers in respect of all children who are in receipt of an NCS subsidy.
NCS subsidies can only be paid once an application is successfully completed and a ‘CHICK’ (Child Identifier Code Key) has been registered with a childcare provider. The parent must also confirm on the system that all details are correct.
It is a key aspect of the Scheme that all claims are paid in arrears based on the attendance of a child. This is a key financial and governance control to ensure that we are maximising the benefits of public monies and that the investment is following the child.
Further information and resources for parents and providers is available at www.ncs.gov.ie.