The planned roll out of a new “Single Affordable Childcare Scheme” has been delayed while a new computer system and website is put in place.
As an interim measure the government made changes to the existing childcare subsidies from September 2017. These changes should mean increases for most families.
The existing childcare supports are provided under the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCS) and the Training and Employment Childcare Scheme (TEC) and some of these payments will be increased by as much as 68% for some families.( The CCS Programme is only offered through community childcare providers .)
Here is a summary of the changes from September 2017
- Every child between the ages of 6 months and 36 months in Tusla-registered childcare services will now be eligible for some level of childcare support. (See below for details)
- The child can be in full or part-time registered childcare.
- There will be no minimum number of hours and no maximum number of weeks for eligibility.
- The financial supports will be provided directly to Tusla registered childcare providers. (as now).
You can check here for Tusla registered childcare providers .
New Maximum Weekly Rates of Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) from September 2017
| CCS | Old Max Rate |
New Max Rate Sept 2017 |
% Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | |||
| Full Time | €95 | €145 | 52% |
| Part Time | €47.50 | €80 | 68% |
| Sessional | €31.35 | €45 | 44% |
| Short | €15.20 | €22.50 | 48% |
| Band AJ | Old Rate | New Rate | % |
| Full Time | €50 | €80 | 60% |
| Part Time | €47.50 | €80 | 68% |
| Sessional | €31.35 | €45 | 44% |
| Short | €15.20 | €22.50 | 48% |
| Band B | Old Rate | New Rate | % |
| Full Time | €50 | €70 | 40% |
| Part Time | €25 | €35 | 40% |
| Sessional | €17 | €25 | 47% |
| Short | €8.50 | €12.50 | 4% |
| ….. | € | € | % |
Universal Childcare Subsidy:
From August 21st 2017 – if your child is aged between 6 months and 36 months and is enrolled in Tusla-registered childcare, you are eligible for a non means-tested universal childcare subsidy of up to €20 a week. (If you do not qualify for the means tested ones above). The universal subsidy is available for the full 2017/2018 CCS and CCSP Programmes starting from the 21st August 2017.
It is estimated that about 25000 children will be eligible for this Universal subsidy.
The rates are: –
€20 for full time childcare (5 hours per day) – (€4 per day)
€10 for part time (3.3 to 5 hours a day) (€2 per day)
€7 for sessional (2.16 to 3.3 hours a day) (€1.40 per day)
€3.50 for 1 to 2.15 hours a day. ( €0.70 per day)
It might not seem much – but over a year it will soon add up. You could get your childcare bill cut by €1040 in a year – why turn it down? You can find out more from your childcare provider or your local Childcare Committee
Most children are cared for by private child-minders, only 1% of whom are registered with Tusla. At the moment registration is voluntary (unless four or more children are being cared for)
The CCS programme provides help with childcare costs for “disadvantaged parents” and parents in training, education or low paid employment.
You can see more details of the proposed Affordable Childcare Scheme here
The scheme looks good. Who is it for? Unemployed parents?
how do you find out if you are eligible?
The childcare subsidy is paid to the childcare providers – your local provider should hopefully be able to tell you . http://affordablechildcare.ie/ccc-contact-page/
At the moment you couls get help if you are a parent/guardian who:
• holds a medical card or GP visit card;
• is on low income;
• is in school;
• in further education;
• in job training;
• or in receipt of a social welfare payment,are participating in a Community Employment scheme,
• or are returning to work
If your child is aged between 6 months and 36 months and is enrolled in Tusla-registered childcare, you are eligible from Sept for a non means-tested universal childcare subsidy of up to €20 per week.