Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
168. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated savings to parents following the introduction of supports for children in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50534/22]
View answerBudget 2023 introduced further enhancements to the NCS to take effect from January 2023. An additional investment in the National Childcare Scheme will increase the minimum subsidy from 50c to €1.40. This translates to up to €63.00 off families’ weekly bill for early learning and childcare per child. With up to €22.50 currently available per week, this represents up to an additional €40.50 off weekly costs.
It will also mean that any family who is not already at the maximum hourly subsidy will see an increase in their subsidy. For those who have an award less than the maximum subsidy, the amount of the increase will taper down as they approach the maximum hourly subsidy.
In terms of income the largest increase (an extra 90c per hour) will be seen by those on net income of €60,000 and above; all families with reckonable income of €26,000 and above will see some level of increase with the rate of increase tapering off as they move closer to €26,000. Those at €26,000 and below are already on the highest levels of subsidy.
The exact reduction in costs will be unique to each family depending on their personal circumstance and childcare needs. However, a subsidy copayment tool will be made available in the coming weeks to help estimate increased subsidies available. It will be available on ncs.gov.ie.
