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Minister for Children Norma Foley has unveiled expanded childcare subsidy measures including a universal subsidy of up to €96.30 per week and increased income-assessed rates, with thresholds rising and multiple child discounts being enhanced.
Minister for Children Norma Foley has announced significant changes to early learning and childcare subsidies, describing the new measures as an important step toward making early learning and childcare more affordable for families across the country.
Under the revised scheme, all eligible families may apply for a universal subsidy regardless of their income level. This universal subsidy is worth up to €96.30 per week for a maximum of 45 hours of childcare. Alternatively, families who meet certain income criteria may qualify for a higher income-assessed subsidy, which varies depending on the specific circumstances of the family, including their overall income level and the number of children aged under 15 in the household.
The income thresholds used to calculate the income-assessed subsidies are being substantially increased to widen access to support. The lower income threshold is rising from €26,000 to €34,000, meaning that families earning less than €34,000 will be able to qualify for the maximum subsidy rate available under the scheme.
A family with a reckonable income of €34,000 will now receive a rate of €5.10 per hour for a child aged between 24 and 52 weeks, representing an increase from the previous rate of €4.40 per hour. The upper income threshold will similarly increase from €60,000 to €68,000, allowing families earning up to €68,000 to avail of a higher income-assessed rate.
For example, a family with a reckonable income of €60,000 will receive a rate of €2.84 per hour for a child aged 24 to 52 weeks, up from €2.14 per hour previously. In addition to the changes to income thresholds, the multiple child discount will also be increased, meaning that a lower income is used to assess entitlements and enabling many families to receive a higher hourly subsidy rate than before.
The discount is rising from €4,300 to €5,500 for families with two children and from €8,600 to €11,000 for families with three or more children. These adjustments are expected to benefit a wide range of households by reducing the cost burden of childcare and expanding eligibility for financial support across various income brackets
Childcare Subsidy Normaoral Early Learning Income Threshold Multiple Child Discount