Universal childcare subsidy
- What is the universal subsidy?
- How to qualify for the universal subsidy
- What is the rate of the universal subsidy?
- How to apply for the universal subsidy
- More information
What is the universal subsidy?
The universal subsidy is a childcare subsidy for children over 6 months and under 15 years who are in Tusla-registered childcare.
The subsidy is paid directly to your childcare provider. The subsidy is then deducted from the overall bill you get from your childcare provider.
How to qualify for the universal subsidy
To qualify for the universal subsidy:
- Your child must be over 6 months (24 weeks) and under 15 years of age
- Your childcare provider must be registered with Tusla and in a contract with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to offer the universal subsidy
The subsidy is not means-tested.
You cannot get the universal subsidy and an income-assessed subsidy at the same time. However, you can choose which subsidy is of greatest benefit to you.
What is the rate of the universal subsidy?
The rate of the universal childcare subsidy is €2.14 an hour up to a maximum of 45 hours a week to all eligible children.
For example
If your child is attending childcare for 45 hours a week, the subsidy you could get is €96.30 per week (€2.14 x 45 hours).
If your child is attending childcare for 20 hours a week, you could get a subsidy of €42.80 per week (€2.14 x 20 hours).
You can use the subsidy calculator on the NCS website to help work out what your entitlement will be.
How to apply for the universal subsidy
You can apply for the universal subsidy on the NCS website.
You will need:
- A verified MyGovID account
- The date of birth and Personal Public Service (PPS) number for each child you are applying for
Read more about applying for the NCS online.
You can apply by post by contacting the Parent Support Centre (see ‘More information’ below). If you apply by post, it takes longer to process and may affect the start date when your subsidy can be paid.
The subsidy is paid directly to your childcare provider and is deducted from the cost of your childcare.
More information
Read more about the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
You can get a list of contracted childcare providers from the NCS website or contact your City or County Childcare Committee.
You can call the National Childcare Scheme Parent Support Centre on (01) 906 8530 (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday).