New Childcare Subsidy Rates to Save Families Up to €100 Weekly, Government Announces
Dublin: The government has announced that new childcare subsidy rates under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) will reduce costs for thousands of families by nearly €100 per week. Starting September 2, the minimum hourly subsidy for children under 15 will increase from €1.40 to €2.14. The subsidy rate for vulnerable children under the NCS sponsor referral programme will also rise.
This increase aims to make early learning and childcare more affordable, potentially saving families up to €96.30 per week per child, or more than €5,000 annually, if they use Tusla-registered childcare services. The move comes amid concerns about the high cost of childcare, which often forces many parents, particularly women, to reconsider returning to work due to childcare expenses equalling or exceeding their salaries.
The government has previously extended the universal subsidy to all children under 15 and increased the subsidy rate in 2023, which has contributed to making childcare more affordable for families. OECD data shows a decrease in the percentage of household income spent on childcare from 2022 to 2023 for both average and minimum wage earners. So far this year, 175,389 children have benefitted from an NCS subsidy.
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman encouraged eligible families to take advantage of these new supports by visiting the NCS website, calling the Parent Support Centre, or speaking to their childcare providers.
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