The National Childcare Scheme is a landmark new Scheme for Ireland.
It is the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for childcare.
It establishes an equitable and progressive system of universal and income-related subsidies for children up to the age of 15.
It also provides an innovative and user-friendly online application process to access those subsidies.
Through all of the above, the National Childcare Scheme aims to improve children’s outcomes, support lifelong learning, make work pay, reduce child poverty and tangibly reduce the cost of quality childcare for thousands of families across Ireland.
Without the National Childcare Scheme, we simply cannot move forward with delivering the quality, accessible, affordable childcare that Ireland needs and deserves. The Scheme provides a flexible, future-focused and sustainable platform to invest in quality Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. It is our commitment to children. It is our investment in families. Read on to find out more about your National Childcare Scheme!
The National Childcare Scheme is our pathway to truly accessible, affordable, quality childcare. From October 2019 it will replace all previous targeted childcare programmes with a single, streamlined and user-friendly Scheme to help parents meet the cost of quality childcare.
Supports 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.
There are two types of subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme:
There are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:
Universal Subsidies are available to all families with children under 3 years old. They are also available to families with children over 3 years who have not yet qualified for the free preschool programme (ECCE). This subsidy is not means tested and provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 40 hours per week.
What you will need to apply online:
Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on your individual circumstances. Your rate will vary depending on your level of family income, your child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in your family.
If you (and your partner, if you have one) are working, studying or training, the maximum number of subsidised hours available per week are 40.
If you (or your partner, if you have one) are not working, studying or training, the maximum number of subsidised hours available per week are 15.
In both cases the available hours include hours spent in school or preschool. The remaining hours can then be used for ‘wrap-around care’. You can read more about wrap-around care in the Frequently Asked Questions.
What you will need to apply online:
**if you are a member of a couple
To see what you might be eligible for you can use the Childcare Subsidy Calculator.
To apply for an Income Assessed subsidy your reckonable family income must be less than €60,000 per year.
Reckonable Income
Reckonable income is calculated by taking your net family income and deducting any allowable items under the Scheme, such as the Multiple Child Discount.
In other words it is the family income, including social protection payments, after tax, PRSI, USC, and any allowable items under the Scheme have been deducted.
To calculate your reckonable income the following items can be deducted from your net income:
The following social protection payments (correct as of March 2019):
Aftercare Allowance | Foster Care Allowance |
Back to Education Allowance | FET Training Allowance |
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance | Guardian’s Payment |
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance | Humanitarian Assistance Scheme |
Back to Work Family Dividend | Mobility Allowance |
Blind Welfare Allowance | Personal Reader Grant |
Caranua Payment | Rent Supplement |
Carer’s Support Grant | Short-Term Enterprise Allowance |
Constant Attendance Allowance | Springboard+ |
Department of Education and Skills Third Level Bursary Scheme Payment | Student Assistance Fund |
Diet Supplement payment | Student Grant SUSI |
Domiciliary Care Allowance | VTOS Training Allowance |
Exceptional Needs Payments | Youthreach Allowance |
If you are applying for an Income Assessed subsidy your income assessment will, in general, be based on your income from the previous tax year. However, you can choose to have your income from the current year assessed if you prefer. You may choose this option if your circumstances have changed from the previous tax year, and you believe that your income from the current year will be significantly less than your income from the previous year.
There are two ways your income can be assessed:
1) You can choose to have your income automatically assessed using information available from the most recent year from the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. This is called ‘Fast Track’. If you choose to Fast Track your assessment, the Scheme’s IT system automatically retrieves the information from Revenue and Social Protection using your Personal Public Service (PPS) number (and your partner’s, if you have one). This is typically the fastest way to have your income assessed and your application processed, and you don’t need to provide any supporting documents when applying.
2) You can choose to provide supporting documents, such as payslips or Social Protection declarations, which show your income and have them reviewed and assessed by an officer of the Scheme Administrator. These documents provide the same information that would otherwise be provided by Revenue and Social Protection via the Scheme’s IT system under the Fast Track option. All of the supporting documents that you need can be found in the Application Form Guide. They can be uploaded with your application either by scanning them onto your computer or by taking a photograph.
If you choose to have your income assessed on the current year, you will be required to manually provide supporting documents. Applications which are manually reviewed and assessed will take longer to process than Fast Track assessments.
The National Childcare Scheme is designed to be flexible, recognising that childcare needs are different for each family. The system has been designed to respond to these needs by providing subsidies which can be applied to the amount of care agreed between parents and providers.
Parents and providers will continue to work together as they currently do, agreeing the amount of care based on a combination of what a parent needs and what a provider can reasonably offer.
Providers will continue to set their own fees, sessions and decide their own admissions policies. The subsidy can then be applied to the care agreed, up to the maximum amount available under Scheme limits.
You can use your subsidy with any childcare provider who is participating in the Scheme. Your subsidy will be paid directly to your chosen childcare provider once you have made arrangements with them. To find childcare services in your area who are participating in the Scheme you can use the Childcare Search.
After your application has been approved, you will receive a unique code, called a CHICK (Childcare Identifier Code Key). The CHICK, along with your child’s name and date of birth, are all your provider needs to register your child on the National Childcare Scheme. After you have confirmed the details registered by your provider, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs will pay the subsidy to them on your behalf. Your provider will then subtract your subsidy from your childcare bill, reducing your childcare costs.
The National Childcare Scheme is our pathway to accessible, affordable, quality Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. It is due to launch in October 2019, replacing all previous targeted programmes with a single, streamlined and user-friendly Scheme, and enabling some families become eligible for subsidies for the first time.
The introduction of the National Childcare Scheme will allow parents to access quality Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare at a more affordable price. Parents will apply directly to the Scheme for financial support, meaning providers will no longer need to manage parental paperwork in order to apply for subsidies. The Scheme will operate under a single system that will ensure streamlined administration for providers and establish a sustainable basis for State investment in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare over the next decade.
30 Clondarrig Court, Bellingham
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Mob: 086 334965
Manager: Carol Phelan
St. Pius X National School
Ballacolla
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 9509568
Barrowhouse Community Hall, Barrowhouse
Barrowhouse
Co. Laois
Mob: 083 3900533
Manager: Siobhan Lacey
24 Beechlawn
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Birchgrove Community Centre
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 3543906
Springhill Rd
Graiguecullen
Co. Laois
Tel: 059 914 3328
Manager: Melanie Watson
56 Ardan Glas
Portlaoise
Co. Co. Laois
Mob: 089 4281952
Childminder: Christine Downes
Acragar
Mountmellick
Co. Laois
6A Rahinwood
Ballylinan
Co. Laois
Tel: 089 2161320
Manager: Ann Blake
Parish Hall
Clough
Ballacolla
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 458 0415
Corrig
Stradbally
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 226 7042
Manager: Edel Graham
Old Convent
Rathdowney
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 655 8254
Manager: Claire Ryan
8 The Garden Village
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 862 0518
Manager: Niamh Walshe
Maryborough Village
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 868 5161
Manager: Niamh Walshe
Old Boys School
Durrow
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 238 9140
Manager: Sheila Clancy
St. Marys School Hall
Church Avenue
Stradbally
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 784 7898
Manager: Sheila Conroy
Main Street
Ballybrittas
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 8633564
Manager : Suzanne Fleming
Treo Nua
Harpurs Lane
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Leader: Lesa Gilligan
The Thatch
Killenard
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 864 5005
Manager: Sinead Boland/ Valerie Keating
95 Loughgate
Portarlington
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 86 40496
Manager: Sinead Boland
St Fiaccs Primary School
Killeshin Road
Graiguecullen
Co. Co. Laois
Clough Hall
Clough
Ballacolla
Co. Laois
Rath Community Centre
Ballybrittas
Co. Laois
Mob: 086 369 0305
Manager: Colette Behan
Fr Breen Park
Abbeyleix
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 873 1904
Manager: Margaret Burke
28 Bruach Na Habann
Killeen
Maganey
Co. Laois
Church Street
Ballinakill
Co. Laois
Mob: 086 399 8111
Manager: Joan Lacey
Whitefields
Station Road
Portarlington
Co. Laois
Crann Nua
Edenderry Road
Portarlington
Co. Laois
Rosenallis Community Centre
Rosenallis
Co. Laois
Harbour Street
Mountmellick
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 86 97973
Manager: Michelle Bowes
Killadooley
Ballybrophy
Co. Laois
Tel: 050 544 890
Manager: Mary Ellen
Dublin Road
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
48 Glenbarrow
Ballyfin Road
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 86 62708
Manager: Phil Dowling
Camross Village
Camross
Camross
Co. Laois
Raheen Village
Raheen
Co. Laois
Tower Hill
Church Street
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Lisduff
Errill
Co. Laois
Tel: 0505 44961
Manager: Rosaleen Fairbrother
Galesquarter
Cullahill
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 641 3478
Manager: Aishling Saunders
41A Rochford Manor
Graiguecullen
Co. Carlow
Mob: 087 622 9471
Manager: Mags Enright
Dublin Road
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Mob: 086 365 0708
Manager: Audrey Whelan
Kilminchy Village
Kilminchy
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Community Group
Gort na Noir
Abbeyleix
Co. Co. Laois
Borris Road
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 089 4555639
Manager: Elaine Gavin
78 Hawthorn Drive
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 866 7997
Manager: Nuala McEvoy
Hollyfield
Acragar
Mountmellick
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 226 4417
Manager: Majella Fitzpatrick
21 Borris Little
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 868 3778
Manager: Monica Delaney
Gort Na nOir
Mountrath Rd
Abbeyleix
Co. Laois
Mob: 086 858 6646
Manager: Fionn Bardon
Methodist Hall
Mountmellick
Co. Laois
Mountmellick Development Association Office
Irishtown
Mountmellick
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 86 24601
Mob: 087 6444963
Link Road
Portarlington
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 863 6836
Manager: Niamh Rothwell
Garoon
Mountmellick
Co. Laois
Norefield House
Abbeyleix
Co. Laois
Mob: 086 156 4040
Manager: Patricia Nuzum
Aras Eoghain
OMoore Place
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 354 3906
Manager: Therese Ryan
40 Crossmeem Manor
Leighlin Road
Carlow Town
Co. Laois
Tel: 059 9169860
Mob: 085 813 7119
Portarlington Community Centre
Link Road
Portarlington
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 683 2781
Manager: Frances Deverell
Portarlington Community Centre
Link Road
Portarlington
Co. Laois
Stradbally Rd
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
34 Heather Hill
Graiguecullen
Carlow Town
Co. Carlow
Tel: 059 918 2227
Manager: Laura Ralph
Cullenbeg Community Centre
Ballycullenbeg
Mountmellick
Co. Laois
Tel: 087 680 2173
Clonincurragh
Mountrath
Co. Laois
Summerhill Downs
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Nano Nagle Hall
Aghnaharna Dr
Summer Hill
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 083 8922865
Manager: Sarah Grange
Scoil Bhride NS
Harper's Lane,
Knockmay
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 083 8922865
Irey
Ballyfin
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 624 2996
Manager: Kathleen O'Connor
Bracklone Street
Portarlington
Co. Laois
Irishtown
Mountmellick
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 864 4492
Manager: Catriona O'Hearne
The Parish Centre
Newtown
Crettyard
Co. Laois
Old Boys School
Castletown
Co. Laois
De Vesci Court
Fairgreen
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 7785242
Manager: Sandra Lobvanoska
44 The Fairways
Abbeyleix
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 873 0001
Manager: Margaret Palmer-Bergin
The Den
Killeshin Community Development Ltd
Killeshin
Co. Carlow
Tel: 059 914 7909
Manager: Helen Curry
10 Carrick Hill
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 866 0052
Manager: Orlagh McCrory
Main Street
Portarlington
Co. Laois
Kea Lew Business Park
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Manger: Monica Delaney
Forest Park
Borris Little
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 868 1762
Manager: Monica Delaney
Killimy
Emo
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Mob: 085 822 5481
Manager: Colette Rigney
Lisduff
Errill
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 050 544 961
Manager: Rosaleen Fairbrother
41 Blossom Court
Esker Hills
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Bog Road
Ballyroan
Co. Laois
Tel: 057 875 7336
Manager: Edith O'Sullivan
Cappanafeacle
Ballyadams
Athy
Co. Laois
Timahoe
Co. Laois
Boughlone
Mountrath Rd
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 086 312 3596
Manager: Nicola Larkin
St Josephs National School
Borris in Ossory
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Mob: 086 199 3984
Manager: Elizabeth Ward
Ballymorris Road
Portarlington
Co. Laois
Mob: 086 863 0039
Manager: Bernie Reddin
Parish Centre
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Mob: 085 730 6284
Leader: Susan Lewis
4 Newline Close
Mountrath
Co. Laois
Mob: 087 416 2377
Manager: Colette Phelan
Cappanarrow
Camross
Co. Laois
Tel: 086 876 1994
Manager: Triinu Tamm
Rahin
Ballylinan
Co. Laois
Tel: 059 862 5497
Manager: Beverley Kaye
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