CHILDCARE SCHEMES
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) operates a number of childcare schemes which provide free or reduced rate early childhood education and care to eligible children. These schemes are administered locally by the City and County Childcare Committees. In Limerick, Limerick Childcare Committee is responsible for the local delivery of the schemes.
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides two years of free pre-school for children. Each pre-school year runs from September to June. From September 2018, to be eligible to enter the scheme, the child must be aged at least 2 years 8 months on the 1st September, in that pre-school year.
Please note that since April 2018 the only entry point to this programme is September.
Participation in the ECCE Scheme is available in both community/not-for-profit and private childcare services.
National Childcare Scheme
There are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:
Universal Subsidies are available to all families with children between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €1.40 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on your individual circumstances. Your rate will vary depending on your level of family income, your child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in your family.
To find out more about NCS, please visit https://ncs.gov.ie/en/