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Financial Support

National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a government programme that helps families with the cost
of early learning and school-age childcare. It provides financial support through childcare subsidies,
which are paid directly to participating childcare providers.

Who Can Get the NCS?

  • Children from 24 weeks old up to 15 years.
  • Parents or guardians using a Tusla-registered childcare provider or registered childminder participating in the scheme.
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There are two types of subsidies for Parents

1. Universal Subsidy

  • Available to all families, regardless of income.
  • Provides a set hourly discount for up to 45 hours per week of childcare.
  • Subsidy is automatically applied once you have your NCS CHICK code registered with your provider.

2. Income-Assessed Subsidy

  • Based on household income, the number of children, and the child’s age.
  • Offers higher levels of support compared to the universal subsidy.
  • The subsidy amount varies depending on your “reckonable income”.

To visit the NCS subsidy webpage, click here

NCS Subsidy
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Click here to access the Subsidy Calculator for Eligibility

NCS Subsidy calculator

How the Scheme Works

  • Parents apply online using MyGovID.
  • Once approved, you receive a unique CHICKcode.
  • Provide the CHICK code to your childcare provider.
  • The subsidy is paid directly to the provider, and your fees are reduced accordingly.

What You Need to Apply

  • A verified MyGovID account
  • Your child’s PPS number and date of birth
  • Your own PPS number
  • Income details (if applying for an income-assessed subsidy)

Key Benefits

  • Makes childcare more affordable for families
  • Supports parents returning to work or education
  • Helps children access high-quality early learning experiences
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For further details on the National Childcare Scheme, please see the National Childcare Website at:
https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/

Please note: To avail of the National Childcare Scheme:
  • Your childcare provider must be registered with Tusla and participating in the NCS.
  • You must confirm your childcare hours when prompted to ensure your subsidy continues.

Under the National Childcare Scheme Website you can also search for childcare near you: Childcare-search

You can also check out the Childcare&Me App developed by Roscommon County Childcare for an easy GPS access to Childcare in your area anywhere in Ireland

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You can also check out the Childcare&Me App developed by Roscommon County Childcare for an easy GPS access to Childcare in your area anywhere in Ireland

Early Childhood Care & Education

The ECCE Programme is a universal free programme available to all children within the eligible age range. It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school. The ECCE Programme is provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week over 38 weeks. Children enrolled in the ECCE Programme may also avail of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). While the NCS and ECCE are two separate schemes, they are intended to work together. This means that Parents/Guardians can avail of NCS subsidised hours for the time spent outside of the ECCE Programme. How the ECCE scheme is provided.

Eligible Age Range

The programme is available to all children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before 1 September. They can continue until they transfer to primary school as long they won’t turn 5 years and 6 months on or before 30 June of the programme year.

Exemptions from age limit

If your child is over the eligibility age requirement due to special circumstances they may be able to get an exemption from the upper age limit for the ECCE Scheme.

There are no exemptions to the lower age limit.