National Childcare Scheme
A subsidy off your registered childcare bill. Every family qualifies for a universal rate, and you can get more based on your income, your child's age and your family size.
Last checked September 2026 · Updated 13 October 2026
What it is
Subsidies toward registered childcare, and two things changed for the 2026/2027 year. More families now qualify. Since 31 August 2026 the lower income threshold rose from €26,000 to €34,000 and the upper from €60,000 to €68,000. The multiple child discount went up too. Above €68,000 you still get the universal subsidy of €2.14 an hour per child for up to 45 hours a week, with no means test at all. Under €68,000 the income-assessed subsidy is worth up to €5.10 an hour per child, and you get the maximum rate at €34,000 or less. Separately, maximum fee caps came in from September 2026 for services in Core Funding.
The fee caps are set by BAND, not a single figure: for 2026/2027 they are €56 under 10 hours a week, €112 for 10 to 20, €168 for 20 to 30, €224 for 30 to 40, €280 for 40 to 50 and €336 for 50 hours or more. The department's own worked example is a typical 45 hour full day place, where the parent's co-payment after the maximum universal subsidy falls from about €198 a week to €183.70. Income is assessed on the previous tax year, so 2025 for the 2026/2027 year.
These are upcoming changes. The figures above are the ones that apply now. From September 2027 (Department of Children, Disability and Equality, 9 October 2026) the universal subsidy rises from €2.14 to €2.50 an hour for children up to the end of senior infants and the lower income threshold rises from €34,000 to €38,500. The maximum weekly fee caps for services in Core Funding fall in every band, to €50 under 10 hours, €100 for 10 to 20, €150 for 20 to 30, €200 for 30 to 40, €250 for 40 to 50 and €300 for 50 hours or more. The multiple child discount also rises, from €5,500 to €6,000 for two children under 15 and from €11,000 to €12,500 for three or more. Access and Inclusion Model supports for children with disabilities will extend to children under 3.
Who can get it
- Your child is over 6 months (24 weeks) and younger than 15, attending a registered childcare service in the scheme (a creche, a registered childminder or an after-school service)
- Every family qualifies for the universal subsidy, whatever your income
- Higher, income-assessed subsidies are available based on your household income, your child's age and the number of children you have
- From September 2026 there is also a cap on fees, and it is set by BAND rather than as one figure. For 2026/2027 a service in the Core Funding scheme can charge at most €56 a week under 10 hours, €112 for 10 to 20 hours, €168 for 20 to 30, €224 for 30 to 40, €280 for 40 to 50 and €336 for 50 hours or more.
- After the universal subsidy, the highest possible upfront cost of a typical 45-hour place at a Core Funding service is €183.70 a week. Families on income-based subsidies pay less again.
- You apply on the NCS website, get your award and bring it to your childcare provider.
- The Minister's Budget speech said universal subsidies will be allocated in the same way as income-assessed hours (up to 20 a week, or up to 45 with work, study or caring). The Department has not published a start date or the detail, and its own 9 October examples still assume 45 hours.
- Coming in September 2027: the universal subsidy rate rises to €2.50 an hour for children up to the end of senior infants, the lower income threshold rises to €38,500 and the fee caps fall in every band, for example from €280 to €250 a week for 40 to 50 hours.
How to apply
Applications go through DCEDIY. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 5 September 2026. Last updated on 13 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much will childcare cost after September 2026?
From September 2026 the fee a service in Core Funding can charge is capped by BAND, on the hours you use: €56 a week under 10 hours, €112 for 10 to 20, €168 for 20 to 30, €224 for 30 to 40, €280 for 40 to 50 and €336 for 50 hours or more. So €280 is the cap for a 45-hour place, not the highest cap there is. After the universal subsidy comes off, the department's worked example puts the highest possible cost of a typical 45-hour place at €183.70 a week and families on income-based subsidies pay less again.
What are the new National Childcare Scheme income limits?
They have already gone up. Since 31 August 2026 the lower limit rose from €26,000 to €34,000 and the upper limit from €60,000 to €68,000, so more families qualify now. The multiple child discount went up at the same time. Every family still qualifies for the universal subsidy whatever their income.
How do I apply for the National Childcare Scheme?
You apply on the NCS website, get your award, and bring it to a registered childcare provider in the scheme (a creche, a registered childminder or an after-school service). The official page works out your exact rate.
Related guides
- ECCE (free preschool)
- Child Benefit
- Working Family Payment
- Back to Work Family Dividend
- One-Parent Family Payment
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