JUST three weeks after applications to the National Childcare Scheme opened online, 214 awards have already been issued to families in Clare, Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has said.
And he is encouraging all parents in Clare to apply for subsidies to meet the cost of early learning and care and school age childcare at http://www.ncs.gov.ie
The scheme means financial supports can be used with any participating and Tusla registered early learning and care and school age childcare service, including Tusla registered childminders.
The scheme’s purpose-built IT system aims to process a universal application in a matter of minutes, and an income assessed application in a matter of days.
As of December 10, a total of 323 applications have been received in from Clare parents, with 214 awards issued. More than 8,000 awards have been issued nationwide in three weeks with applications processing smoothly and quickly.
“Under the National Childcare Scheme, families will be supported to meet the cost of quality early learning and care and school age childcare through a system of universal and income-related subsides.
Using a verified MyGovID account, I encourage families to apply directly for subsidies at www.ncs.gov.ie” Deputy Carey added.
“Additional funding provided under Budget 2019 ensures that around 7,500 additional children will benefit from the scheme, with over 40,000 other children, already eligible, seeing increases to their subsidies.
“Income based subsidies are available to families with reckonable household incomes of up to €60,000 which can translate into as much as €90,000 gross for families in certain circumstances.
“The National Childcare Scheme is paving the way for Ireland’s childcare system to transform from one of the most expensive in the world into one of the best.
“Families with young children have a lot of pressures and among these is access to quality childcare that is affordable. The National Childcare Scheme increases the number of families who can access financial assistance. Many families will, for the first time, be entitled to subsidies. Many others will see increases in their subsidies,” Deputy Carey concluded.