National Childcare Scheme

What is the National Childcare Scheme?

The National Childcare Scheme provides subsidies to help parents meet the cost of quality Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. It will replace all previous targeted childcare support programmes with a single, streamlined and user friendly Scheme.

Under the National Childcare Scheme, subsidies are available for families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla registered childcare service, including any Tusla registered childminder and school age childcare services.

There are two types of subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme:

• Universal subsidies are available to ALL families with children between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. It is not means tested and provides €2.14 per hour up to a maximum of 45 hours per week off the cost of a Tusla registered childcare place
• Income Assessed subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. They are means tested and will be calculated based on your individual circumstances. The subsidy rate will vary depending on your level of reckonable family income, your child’s age and their educational stage. It can be used towards the cost of a Tusla registered childcare place for up to a maximum of 45 hours per week.  To apply for an Income Assessed subsidy, your reckonable family income has to be less than €60,000 per year (this will rise to €68,000 from 31 August 2026), any child on the application seeking a subsidy will receive a minimum subsidy equivalent to the universal amount of €2.14 per hour. However, if you receive a standard hours (20 hours) Income Assessed award, then a Universal Award may be more beneficial as it has 45 hours available. To find out more please contact the Parent Support centre by phone on 01 906 8530.. . Read more about this on the Frequently Asked Questions Under the heading Which Subsidy can I apply for 

How to apply

▶️Can I apply online?

You can apply online on NCS.GOV.IE using a verified MyGovID by clicking on the ‘Sign In’ tab at the top of the screen. If you need help with the application process you can read our Application Form Guide or you can contact the NCS Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 open Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm.

▶️Can I apply without a verified MyGovID? 

Yes, you can apply by post if you prefer. For a postal application form you will need to contact the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530, open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Please be advised that postal applications take a number of weeks to process. An agent in the Parent Support Centre will be able to provide further information on applying by post.

For further information relating to the National Childcare Scheme please visit https://ncs.gov.ie/home.

▶️How long will it take for my application to be processed?

The turnaround time for application approval is dependent on the following factors:

• Application Type e.g. Universal or Income Assessed.
• Application Route e.g. Income Assessed, with or without partner.
• Medium e.g. Online or Offline (Postal).
• That all required information has been provided.

Typically, Universal applications have the quickest turnaround times followed by Fast- Track and then Manual Income Assessed applications.  The offline application process will take considerably longer.

Below is a guide as to overall turnaround times per application type.

*all times are dependent on all required information being submitted as part of the initial submission. 

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