Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020
284. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of SAC children granted zero hours term-time since September 2020; and the number under NCS. [41044/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor this question, ‘school aged children’ has been defined as any child aged 4 years or more on 1st September 2020. It should be noted a a proportion of these may opt to continue in ECCE for a second year or move junior infants.
Since 1st September 2020, 1,913 school aged children have received a standard hours award under the NCS.
Standard hours subsidies are awarded where one of the parents is not in work or study. In this way, stay at home parents can have a continuum of access to external child development supports through the school and through childcare provision.
The 20 hours are available all year round for children who have not started school, and in non-term time for school age children. This latter rule is based on evidence that where a parent is available to care for a child, the child's development needs are generally met through school participation. There are some exceptions to this, which I will deal with momentarily.
Where parents are working or studying, they can access 45 hours of subsidies.
As the Deputy is aware the definition of work under the NCS is extremely broad, covering all forms of work arrangement: full-time, part-time, week-on/ week-off and zero hour contracts. The study rule is also a generous one and allows parents to access up to 45 hours of childcare when completing any NFQ qualification, from level 1, for even a small number of hours per week.
The DCEDIY and Solas are working to increase awareness of NCS supports for parents considering further study and to highlight the availability of accessible courses, which would grant eligibility for up to 45 hours of childcare. The NCS will be advertised shortly through the further education and training course hub (www.fetchcourses.ie).
My Department will also be re-engaging with Intreo Offices and ETBs to promote awareness of the NCS.
Where children and families have extra needs that general NCS subsidies or rules do not meet, special sponsorship arrangements are available. With sponsorship, families can avail of up to 45 hours free childcare, with no work or study rule. Sponsorship referrals can be made by a number of designated bodies. Already over 700 children are accessing these supports.
