Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1406. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the deadline 20 August 2023 for registration for the national childcare scheme will be extended, given people are unable to register due to a system glitch (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38019/23]
View answerSubsidies awarded under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) are end-dated. Parents must renew applications before this end date in order to continue receiving a subsidy for their child. In this particular case, the award's end date was detailed as 20 August 2023.
However, due to a technical issue on the NCS Applicant Portal some applications, including renewals, were prevented from being submitted successfully. Once alerted to the issue, my Department worked closely with the Scheme Administrator, Pobal, to investigate this systems error and put a fix in place.
I am pleased to say that the issue was rectified on 18 August. Pobal contacted all affected applicants on this date to advise.
I would like to assure you that this experience is not typical of the NCS application process, and I sincerely regret to hear of the difficulties faced by affected applicants during this period.
Officials in my Department have liaised with Pobal on behalf of your constituent and I understand that the affected awards have since been renewed successfully. Pobal have advised that this case is now resolved.
I would like to remind any applicants who experience difficulties in renewing their awards, or otherwise require more general support on the NCS, to contact the Parent Support Centre for advice. Contact details are available on www.ncs.gov.ie/en/contact-us/
