Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:661. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the NCS attendance and under-attendance are currently being reviewed (details supplied). [68698/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 September 2026
Ceisteanna (661)
Freagraí scríofa
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help families with their early learning and childcare costs. The families of almost 247,000 children availed of National Childcare Scheme (NCS) subsidies in 2025 to help offset the costs of early learning and childcare. Up to 277,000 children are expected to avail of the Scheme this year.
The NCS is designed to be flexible, recognising that early learning and childcare needs are different for each family. Under the NCS, subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, up to a maximum number of 45 hours a week for which the subsidy applies.
The hours-based nature of the NCS is designed to fit around the needs of families and ensure that the effectiveness of funding is maximised for all. The NCS enables families to agree the number of hours to be used with their service provider within overall scheme limits. The number of hours can be altered week to week so, for example the subsidy can be increased during a school midterm where a parent requires more hours of care.
The Department designed the NCS to also be flexible around children’s attendance, recognising that children’s attendance may vary from week to week. If a child is occasionally picked up early or misses an occasional day, this will not impact on a family’s subsidy.
This combination of flexibility and accountability provides an appropriate balance of supporting parents and providers while also ensuring the efficient use of Exchequer funding.
An independent evaluation of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) commenced in March 2026. It is expected that the evaluation will conclude in Q3 2027. This evaluation aims to assess the performance of the NCS to date and its operation within the wider early learning and childcare funding and policy environment.
The evaluation will examine whether the NCS, as part of the wider funding model, is making high-quality early learning and childcare more accessible and affordable, particularly for families in the lowest income groups and the most disadvantaged households. It will also identify any improvements that could be made to enhance accessibility and affordability and to ensure that the NCS is working for as many families as possible.
The evaluation will include consultation and engagement with parents, educators, practitioners, providers and representative organisations. As part of this, the hours-based model will be reviewed. Any changes to the NCS will be carefully considered in light of the findings of this evaluation.