Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
490. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the reduction in childcare fees is limited to childcare providers who are part of national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48526/22]
View answerThe Department has secured a landmark €1.025 billion in funding under Budget 2023 for early learning and childcare. This includes additional funding of €121m for the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) which has been allocated to reduce average parental co-payments for early learning and childcare by 25%.
From 2 January 2023, all families accessing registered early learning and childcare will receive a minimum hourly NCS subsidy of €1.40. With the current minimum hourly NCS universal subsidy set at €0.50 per hour, this represents an additional €0.90 per hour off the cost of early learning and childcare.
As per the 2022 Programme Call, the number of early learning and childcare providers that are currently contracted and available to offer the NCS is 3,268. It must be noted that early learning and childcare providers are private businesses. As such, it is a matter for each provider to decide whether they enter into any contractual arrangement with the Department, including for the NCS. However, it is open to all registered early learning and childcare providers to opt in to contract on an annual basis to participate in this Scheme.
