PRESS RELEASE

• From: Department of Children, Disability and Equality
• Published on: 30 May 2025
• Last updated on: 30 May 2025

A record number of children – approximately 190,000 – have benefitted from the National Childcare Scheme this year.

Last September, the minimum rate for the National Childcare Scheme subsidy increased by 52 per cent.

This means that families using full-time early learning and childcare (45 weekly hours) now receive a minimum of €96.30 per week in universal subsidies per child, which can be up to €5,007 in subsidies off their annual bill per child.

New figures show that the number of children benefiting from the National Childcare Scheme between last September and May has increased by 17% on the same previous period to 189,716.

Higher subsidy rates of up to €5.10 per hour, or €229.50 per week, may be available under the National Childcare Scheme for families who choose to apply for an income assessed award. These rates, which depend on the family’s income, and the age of the child, mean that some families may not have to pay any contribution towards the cost of early learning and childcare for their child.

Since last September childminders have also been able to register with Tusla, and parents who use Tusla-registered childminders can now apply to avail of subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme.

The rise in the number of children benefiting from the National Childcare Scheme is being announced as parents and their children are invited to join the Department of Children at the ‘Budding Bloomers’ section of Bord Bia Bloom.

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said:

“I’m very pleased to see a 17 per cent rise in the number of children benefiting from the National Childcare Scheme since the increase in National Childcare Scheme subsidies took effect as part of Budget 2024. I hope the number of families using the scheme continues to increase as the year progresses.

I’m keen that parents take the opportunity to find out more about what supports are available to them. If they want to use a registered childminder who is providing a childminding service in their own home, they can now avail of the National Childcare Scheme as well. State investment to the tune of €1.37 billion this year is helping considerably to transform the early learning and childcare sector in this country.”

At the Department of Children’s stand at the ‘Budding Bloomers’ section of Bord Bia Bloom, children will have the opportunity to plant their own strawberries while parents can find out more about the Government supports available to help reduce the cost of early learning and childcare. These supports include the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme.

Staff from the Department, the City/County Childcare Committees and Pobal will be there to speak

with parents who would like to find out more about these Government supports.

All families with children under 15 are encouraged to avail of the supports on offer through the

National Childcare Scheme by visiting https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/ or by calling the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530.

Any family or childminder looking for more information on childminding options available to them, should contact their local City or County Childcare Committee. A full list of the 30 City and County Childcare Committees can be found here.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

*The number of children benefiting from the National Childcare Scheme is expected to increase further as this year progresses.