The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare through a subsidy paid directly to the childcare provider.
In the case of children sponsored by approved bodies, the NCS covers the full cost of early learning and childcare. The rate of this coverage increased in 2024 to reflect a €5.30 hourly rate for all children over 1 year old. Sponsored children under 1 year old continue to receive an hourly rate of €5.87.
A €5.30 subsidy across 45 hours of care equates to a weekly rate of €238.50. The median weekly fee for full-time care is €200 a week.
As part of their participation in NCS, providers agree not to charge the parent of a sponsored child any co-payment, regardless of if the provider’s normal rates are greater than the sponsor subsidy rate. It is a contractual requirement of the NCS that providers must not exclude children from the service for the reason of sponsorship. If a provider accepts a co-payment for a sponsor child, excludes a child from the service for the reason of a sponsorship award, or requests that a sponsor child register under a universal or income assessed award instead of a sponsor award, then the provider is violating the NCS rules. If a service is also a Core Funding partner service, additional rules apply.
I would encourage any parents who are facing issues with enrolling their child under a sponsor award to get in touch with their local City and County Childcare Committee (CCC). Across the country, CCC support parents and guardians to understand their early learning and childcare options. They also support a range of policies and programmes, as well as help to ensure that providers are compliant with all relevant Government schemes. Contact details for the CCC may be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees .
Children in receipt of sponsorship have been identified as in particular need of the supports that early learning and childcare providers offer. The NCS rules have been designed to protect the interests of both children and service providers, and the Department of Children, Disability provides significant value to the sector, both in terms of subsidies paid directly to providers and grants paid to support providers.
