Minister O’Gorman encourages families to access the National Childcare Scheme as survey shows more than half are unaware of State supports
Minister O’Gorman encourages families to access the National Childcare Scheme as survey shows more than half are unaware of State supportsMonday 05 September
Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has today urged parents to avail of supports available to them under the National Childcare Scheme, including new supports introduced in recent days.
Since 29 August, universal subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme has been extended to all children under 15 using registered childcare. Up to 40,000 are estimated to benefit by up to €1,170 per annum.
Commenting Minister O’ Gorman said: “Many parents find it difficult to pay for childcare. Results from a recent survey show however that many parents are not yet claiming their entitlement under the National Childcare Scheme and that awareness of supports under the National Childcare Scheme is low. An awareness raising campaign, led by my Department, is now underway. I would encourage parents to visit www.ncs.gov.ie, call the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 or talk to their childcare provider to make sure they are fully availing of the new and existing financial supports under the Scheme.”
Results from a nationally representative survey of more than 500 families, undertaken in July by Ipsos MRBI, found that:
- Less than half (48%) of parents were aware of supports available under the National Childcare Scheme
- 32% of parents using regulated early learning and care for children not yet in school reported they did not receive any State subsidy, despite many having an entitlement to support under the National Childcare Scheme.
- 80% of parents using regulated school-age childcare reported they did not receive any State subsidy.
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