Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
763. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children supported under NCS in each of the income bands; and the average cost per child. [42328/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme offers a statutory entitlement to financial support for childcare. The NCS established an equitable and progressive system of universal and income-related subsidies for children up to the age of 15.
An income assessed subsidy is payable for children from 24 weeks to 15 years of age who are availing of childcare services from an approved childcare service provider. The level of subsidy is determined by the family’s assessable income (i.e. gross income minus tax, PRSI and other deductibles and minus any applicable multiple child discount).
The table hereunder outlines the number of children supported in each on the income bands and the average weekly claim as of July 2021.
|
Income Band |
No. of Children |
Average weekly claim |
|
€0-€4,999 |
2,080 |
€119.20 |
|
€5000-€9,999 |
762 |
€119.07 |
|
€10,000-€14,999 |
2,384 |
€112.76 |
|
€15,000-€19,999 |
2,999 |
€117.06 |
|
€20,000-€24,999 |
3,472 |
€119.55 |
|
€25,000-€29,999 |
3,898 |
€112.42 |
|
€30,000-€34,999 |
3,598 |
€98.60 |
|
€35,000-€39,999 |
3,332 |
€80.77 |
|
€40,000-€44,999 |
3,130 |
€65.27 |
|
€45,000-€49,999 |
2,845 |
€49.18 |
|
€50,000-€54,999 |
2,363 |
€33.17 |
|
€55,000-€60,000 |
15,706 |
€18.26 |
|
Total |
44,934 |
€66.24 |
The NCS provides a sustainable platform to enable my department to continue investing in early learning and childcare for years to come. The Scheme is designed to be flexible, allowing income thresholds, maximum hours and subsidy rates to be adjusted as more investment becomes available.
