Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
659. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will permit the extension of a sponsored claim through the national childcare scheme for two children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13526/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) includes a sponsorship arrangement which allows specified public bodies to refer children to the Scheme. The need for a sponsored referral is a determination for the relevant Sponsor Body and one that they make based on the particular needs of the child in line with their defined criteria – as set out in the Childcare Support Act 2018.
I understand that these children were previously in receipt of NCS Sponsorship through the HSE. The children in respect of whom financial support under this referral route will be granted include those:
Who are aged under 4 years of age who are not enrolled in a pre-school programme funded by the Minister or the Minister for Education and who would otherwise not attend a childcare service, and;
Who are deemed to be in need of early intervention and require additional supports under the domains of child developmental needs, parental capacity and environmental factors following completion of a Child and Family Health Needs Assessment by a Public Health Nurse, and;
Where there is an identified need for childcare as an additional support to the home environment to meet child developmental needs.
It is expected that the children mentioned have aged out of Sponsorship since turning 4 years of age. Based on the criteria outlined above, these children are no longer eligible for NCS Sponsorship. There is no option to grant an extension.
These HSE criteria enable qualifying children to access early learning and care prior to their eligibility for the ECCE Programme, or equivalent. The details shared in relation to the children show that they are still eligible for ECCE, and should therefore be receiving 15 hours of early learning and care a week for the 38 weeks of term.
As ECCE operates to a term schedule, like primary school, ECCE is not available during the summer months. While they may no longer be eligible for HSE Sponsorship, it is open to the family to apply for either a universal or income-assessed NCS subsidy if they wish to access out of term care.
The universal subsidy is not subject to means testing and it provides €2.14 per hour for a maximum of 45 hours per week. Higher rates may be available through an income assessed award depending on factors including the family income, child age and educational stage and the number of children in the family. Income assessed awards start at €2.14 per hour and rates may go up to €5.10 per hour depending on the aforementioned details.
I would advise that the family applies for whichever subsidy is of the greatest benefit to them personally – either universal and income-assessed. A subsidy calculator is available on www.ncs.gov.ie which will help them estimate how much they are eligible for before going through the process of applying.
Families can apply online for the subsidy through www.ncs.gov.ie using a verified MyGovID. Or, they can contact the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 to request a postal application.
