1189. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who are availing of the full 45 hours under the national childcare scheme; the number of children who are availing of part-time hours under the national childcare scheme; the number of children availing of afterschool care under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13049/24]

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is designed to substantially reduce costs to families using eligible early learning and childcare. It is intended to be flexible, recognising that childcare needs are different for each family.

For this reason subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be paid for. Where parents are engaged in work or study, the NCS will subsidise up to 45 hours per week (Enhanced award). Families not engaged in employment or education can still benefit under the Scheme by receiving up to 20 hours per week (Standard Award).

Once an application has been approved, families must work with their chosen provider to agree on the amount of childcare required based on their own requirements and what the service can offer.

Year-to-date, a total of 155,153 children are benefitting from subsidies under the NCS. The table below shows the median and average weekly total hours claimed for children benefitting from an NCS subsidy so far this year. It is important to note that children cannot claim for hours they are attending school or ECCE, and given that this age cohort makes up a significant number of children using the scheme at present, this weekly usage may change during the summer months.

The table below additionally shows the number of children benefitting from an NCS subsidy so far this year by weekly hours claimed band.

* Please note in both tables above, the number of unique children in each category may vary from the 'Grand Total' This is because some children may have multiple claims in more than one category.

Lastly, the number of unique school-aged children benefitting from an NCS subsidy so far this year is 69,730. These are children falling within the following education stages: Junior/Senior Infants, 1st-6th class and Post-Primary.