Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
109. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in receipt of early learning and childcare subsidies under the national childcare scheme; the number of children missing out on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18952/24]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare. It is available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla registered childcare service, including any Tusla registered childminder.
As of 24 April 2024, there are a total of 147,012 unique children availing of subsidies under the NCS.
The exact number of children missing out on the Scheme cannot be detailed for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the Department only has sight of families who choose to engage with Department funded programmes such as the NCS or ECCE. However, it should be also noted that a certain proportion of families will not require early learning and childcare, or may choose to utilise a private childcare space. A private space may be a space in a service which has chosen not to participate in the NCS and/or a place where the parent or guardian has not applied for the NCS. The Department does not hold information relating to such places.
Currently, there are a total of 3,695 early learning and childcare providers participating in the NCS across the State - an increase of approx. 8% from the previous year. Families who wish to avail of the NCS can view a full list of participating providers on the NCS website. Further information on the Scheme, including details on how to apply, are also available on this website.
The number of children benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) has increased significantly in recent years. Owing, in part, to the requirement on services in contract for Core Funding to offer the NCS to all eligible families. To date, 94% of eligible providers have signed up to Year 2 of Core Funding. In County Carlow specifically, 98% of eligible services have submitted a Core Funding application.
