Child Care in Ireland: Subsidies, Daycare & Costs

For many Irish parents, childcare bills arrive like a second rent payment — and the maze of subsidies, eligibility rules, and provider options only adds to the stress. This guide cuts through that complexity by laying out exactly how Ireland’s National Childcare Scheme works and what financial support you can actually get.

NCS Subsidy Available: National Childcare Scheme · Babysitting Hourly Rate: Ireland 2026 Costs via Sitly · Free Childcare Age: 9-months to 4-years England · Child Benefit Monthly: Universal Credit GOV.UK

Four data points that matter: a scheme launch date, a subsidy rate, an income ceiling, and a policy target.

Do you get money for child care?

Yes — through Ireland’s National Childcare Scheme (NCS), which the Government of Ireland describes as the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for childcare in the country. The scheme launched on 20 November 2019 and has since grown to support more than 232,700 children since its introduction. Families don’t receive cash directly; instead, the subsidy flows straight to your registered childcare provider once you’ve set up the arrangement.

National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

The NCS offers two main subsidy types. The universal subsidy provides €2.14 per hour for a maximum of 45 hours per week — a rate that increased by 53% from €1.40 on 2 September 2024. This translates to potential weekly savings of up to €96.30 per child, or over €5,000 annually. Income thresholds determine how much you receive:

• Below €26,000: Full subsidies available (current threshold)
• €26,000–€60,000: Graduated level of subsidies (current threshold)
• €26,000–€34,000: Full subsidies from 2026 (new lower threshold)
• €34,000–€68,000: Graduated subsidies from 2026 (new upper threshold)

The Multiple Child Discount further reduces reckonable income by €4,300 for families with 2 children under 15, or €8,600 for families with 3 or more children under 15. A family earning €68,000 with 2 children could see their reckonable income reduced by €11,000 to €57,000 under this deduction. Subsidies cover children aged 24 weeks to 15 years, and the subsidy is paid directly to your childcare provider once you receive your CHICK code (Childcare Identifier Code Key) after approval.

Universal Credit child payments

For UK-based readers or cross-border families, GOV.UK administers Universal Credit which includes a child element paid monthly. This operates separately from Ireland’s NCS, though the principle is similar — government financial support to help offset the cost of raising children. The amounts are updated annually and depend on the number and ages of children in the household.

How does daycare work in Ireland?

Ireland’s early learning and childcare system operates through Tusla-registered providers — the only childcare services eligible to participate in the NCS. Parents apply through the NCS portal, receive a unique CHICK code, then arrange care with a registered provider of their choice.

Early learning and care

Early learning and care (ELC) covers children from 24 weeks up to school age. These services include creches, nurseries, and pre-school programmes. The Government’s Core Funding programme, which provides operational funding to providers to offset revenue losses from fee reductions, received €482m for the year beginning September 2026 — a 23% increase. This funding helps keep provider doors open and fees stable for families.

School age childcare

School age childcare covers children from primary school age up to 15 years. Services include before-and-after-school care, holiday camps, and other school-age specific programmes. Provider platforms like Enrolmy and Sherpa Kids help parents find and book school age care near them.

How much is a babysitter per hour in Ireland?

Babysitting rates in Ireland vary based on location, experience, the number of children, and whether it’s a weekday evening or weekend. While no single national survey tracks exact figures, platform data from Sitly (Ireland’s babysitting marketplace) suggests typical hourly rates for 2026 fall in the €12–€18 range, with experienced sitters in urban areas commanding the higher end.

2026 hourly costs

The actual cost depends on several factors:

• Location: Dublin and Cork typically run €2–€4 higher per hour than rural areas
• Experience: Sitters with first aid training or childcare qualifications charge more
• Timing: Weekend evenings and public holidays often carry a premium
• Children count: Each additional child typically adds €2–€4 to the hourly rate

Babysitting rates tips

Parents hiring through platforms should factor in platform fees, which can add 5–15% to the base rate. For regular arrangements, many families negotiate a fixed weekly rate rather than paying per hour. A critical point: babysitters (as independent contractors) don’t qualify for NCS subsidies — only formal, registered childcare services do.

Do you still get free childcare?

“Free childcare” means different things depending on where you live. In England, the government provides free hours for children aged 9 months to 4 years — but Ireland’s system works differently.

England 9-months to 4-years

England offers 15 free hours per week (30 for working families in certain income brackets) for children from 9 months to 4 years old. This is a universal entitlement through the government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme and free early education places. However, this applies only to England — not Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Eligibility rules

Ireland has no blanket “free childcare” programme equivalent to England’s universal hours. Instead, the NCS subsidy system reduces costs based on income. Key eligibility points:

• Children must be aged 24 weeks to 15 years
• Families must use a Tusla-registered provider
• Income thresholds determine subsidy level (rising in 2026)
• Vulnerable children may qualify through the Sponsor referral programme at no cost to the family

The NCS currently covers approximately 28% of average childcare costs, according to the Economic and Social Review. Children’s Minister Norma Foley launched the “Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan” in December 2025, with Phase 1 committing to actions in 2026 to make services more affordable and accessible — with the government’s stated goal of achieving €200 per month per child in costs within the government’s lifetime.

Is child care one word or two words?

Both forms are correct — but usage varies by region and context.

Childcare vs child care

“Childcare” (one word) is the more common British and Irish spelling, while “child care” (two words) is more frequently used in American English. Both forms appear in formal and informal usage across all English-speaking regions.

Compound word usage

The term follows the pattern of other compound nouns in English — initially two separate words, then hyphenated, then merged into one word as usage becomes established. “Childcare” has completed this evolution in British English, while American style guides still often prefer the spaced form.

What do the numbers tell us?

175,389 children received NCS subsidies as of August 2024 — a jump of over 97,000 compared to the same period in 2022. The scheme has grown faster than the government’s original projections, partly because the September 2024 rate increase made the subsidy meaningful for middle-income families who previously found the math didn’t work out.

Norma Foley TD, Minister for Children

The Early Years Action Plan represents our most ambitious commitment to affordable childcare. Phase 1 in 2026 will directly address the cost barriers that have kept families from accessing quality early learning.

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Pobal carries out the day-to-day administration of the NCS, working with over 4,000 registered childcare providers nationwide to ensure subsidies reach families efficiently.

Related reading: School Terms 2025 Ireland · Term 3 School Holidays 2025 Ireland

Busy Irish parents often explore drop-in daycare optionsdrop-in daycare options alongside NCS subsidies for more flexible childcare solutions.

Frequently asked questions