Early Childhood Care and Education

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Ceisteanna (760)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

760. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost of increasing the rates of payment per hour on the NCS by 10% and by 20%. [42325/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The National Childcare Scheme established the removal of many of the restrictive eligibility requirements associated with legacy schemes, for example dependency on Social Protection payments. This represents a significant step forward in combatting poverty traps for families in Ireland.

The universal subsidy is available to all families with children aged between 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later). The universal subsidy is based on the child’s age, and not on income. Parents do not have to undergo an assessment to avail of this subsidy. The universal subsidy currently provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place up to a maximum of 45 hours a week.

The income-assessed subsidy under the NCS is available to all families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years, with a reckonable income under €60,000. The subsidies are based on the child’s age and education stage.

The table hereunder outlines the current cost per hour and, the cost of increasing the rates of payment per hour on the NCS by 10% and by 20%.

-	Current	10% increase	20% increase
Less than 12 months	€5.10	€5.61	€6.12
12 to 35 months old	€4.35	€4.78	€5.22
3 years, or older and not yet qualifying for ECCE	€3.95	€4.34	€4.82
3 years, or older and qualifying for ECCE	€3.95	€4.34	€4.82
At school (older than 6 years and less than 15 years)	€3.75	€4.12	€4.50
Universal	€0.50	€0.55	€0.60
Total	€206.3m	€226.5	€250.9

The funding model of the NCS is based on key assumptions around the preferences and behaviours of parents relating to working hours and childcare choice, rates of growth in demand, and certain metrics are extrapolated from available data.

The NCS is designed to be flexible and highly inclusive, and aims to meet the needs of those families who need it the most. The Scheme is based on the principle of progressive universalism and has regard to the best interests of children.