Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
865. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a mechanism will be introduced to allow funding under the AIM, NCS and sponsored childcare schemes to be backdated in cases where administrative issues prevent applications from being submitted immediately, in order that providers are not financially disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4167/26]
View answerThere is no backdating of financial support under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
While the question does not detail what form of administrative issue might prevent an application from being submitted, payment of a subsidy requires the following steps: a parent must first complete an NCS application, be provided with a CHICK and bring that CHICK to their provider. At this point the provider will register a claim on the system. From that point on, the claim is payable, once two further steps happen: the parent confirms the details of the claim are correct, and the provider submits a weekly return. It is not possible for payment to issue for the period before the provider has registered a claim on the system.
This said, where the Scheme Administrator, Pobal, are aware that an administrative error has occurred on their behalf, such as an IT issue, applicants will not be disadvantaged. Should any gap in subsidy occur as a result of such issues, a review will be conducted by Pobal to rectify same. Further information on the review process is available in Section 12 of the National Childcare Scheme Policy Guidelines.
Specific to NCS Sponsorship and for the purposes of the question, ‘administrative issues’ will be taken to include scenarios where:
• There is a delay on behalf of the NCS Sponsorship Body in submitting a referral for a child, and;
• A child has already started in an early learning and childcare service, where it is understood a CHICK is imminent.
In scenarios such as the above, early learning and childcare providers may initiate a review process with the Scheme Administrator, Pobal. Upon submission of relevant documentation, Pobal (at its discretion) may issue an ad hoc payment in order to cover the affected period. However, the time limit for such reviews is six months. It should be noted that this process only exists for Sponsored children.
If an early learning and childcare provider requires support specific to Sponsored CHICKs, they should contact the Service Provider Centre at 01 511 7222 or email [eypc@pobal.ie].
More broadly, it may be useful to note that an evaluation of the NCS is due to start in early 2026. This evaluation will review how the Scheme has performed to date and identify any potential enhancements that could be made to better support families. The process will include extensive stakeholder consultation with parents, providers, and representative groups, as well as a comprehensive review of national and international research and best practice.
Lastly, with regards to the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), per the programme rules for AIM, AIM level 7 year two, AIM Plus, AIM Non-term and Aim level 1 applications are eligible for back payment with AIM year two and AIM level 1 applications having a cut-off date to be eligible for back payments. Aim Level 7 initial claims are not eligible for back pay.
The Department currently does not have any plans to expand on the backdating rules that are in place for AIM at this time.
