From Monday [2nd September, 2024] the minimum hourly subsidy under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) will increase from €1.40 to €2.14. The new subsidy will take effect from Monday, September 2nd. This 53% increase has been welcomed by the Limerick TD.
Speaking in Dublin, Minister Roderic O'Gorman announced the increase and confirmed "From next Monday, parents will again see substantial reductions in their childcare costs, building on the reductions put in place last year.”
Welcoming the announcement Deputy Leddin noted that reduction in child care costs has been a key focus for the Green Party in government, both as a means to ease the cost of living for families with young children and as a means to ensure all children start their journey in life on a more level playing field.
Deputy Brian Leddin added that “The ambitious reform program delivered over the past four years which has included significant fee reductions, pay increases for Early Years professionals and significant investment in services and new schemes is part of the vision for Childcare that the Greens continue to work towards.”
Deputy Leddin confirmed that in September 2025 a new fee cap will come into force bringing above-average fees down towards the national average.
Deputy Leddin agreed with Minister O’Gorman’s comments “to really value and deliver Early Years Education and Care as a public good, accessible to all, we have to go much further. Thanks to the reforms the Green Party in government has put in place, with the right investment we can do this. We need to give every child in Ireland a guaranteed right to an ECCE place, no matter where they live. To do this the State must begin to deliver Early Years Education as a public provider, alongside private services working in partnership with the State. Key to this will be new measures in pay and employment conditions for Early Years Educators to increase quality, and drive recruitment and expansion of services.”
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