CrecheFinder DublinThe National Childcare Scheme, known as the NCS, is the main State support towards the cost of childcare in Ireland. If your child attends a registered creche, preschool, school-age service or registered childminder in Dublin, the NCS can reduce the fees you pay each week.
The scheme is designed to be simple once it is set up, but the first steps can be confusing. This guide walks through how it works in general terms. Rates, hours and eligibility rules can change with each Budget, so always check the official NCS website at ncs.gov.ie for the figures that apply to your family.
How it works in five steps
Make sure the creche or childminder is registered with Tusla and has signed up to deliver the NCS.
Apply through the NCS website, usually using a verified MyGovID account, or with a paper form.
If your application is approved you receive a code to share with your chosen provider.
The provider uses the code to register your child, and the subsidy is paid directly to them.
Your bill is reduced by the subsidy amount. Remember to renew your award each year.
Two types of subsidy
The NCS has two main parts. The universal subsidy is available to eligible families regardless of income and gives a set reduction per hour of childcare. The income-assessed subsidy is based on your family's reckonable income and the number of children in the household, so it can be considerably higher for families on lower incomes. You do not need to pick one: when you apply, the system works out which applies to you.
Who can use it
The NCS supports children from infancy up to school-going age and beyond, including school-age childcare such as after-school services. The key condition is that the provider must be registered with Tusla and must have a contract with the scheme. Most creches in Dublin take part, while childminders can only offer the NCS if they are registered with Tusla.
- Your provider must be Tusla-registered and participating in the NCS.
- Applications are made by a parent or guardian.
- The number of subsidised hours can depend on your circumstances, such as work or study.
How the subsidy reaches you
Parents do not receive the NCS as a payment. Instead, the subsidy is paid directly to your provider, who deducts it from your bill. Your fee statement should show the full fee, the subsidy and the balance you pay. If anything on your statement is unclear, ask the provider to talk you through it.
How NCS fits with ECCE
The ECCE free preschool programme and the NCS are separate schemes that work together. During term time, ECCE covers a set number of free preschool hours, and the NCS can be used for additional hours before and after the ECCE session or during holiday weeks. Your creche can explain how the two appear on your bill.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting to give the code to your provider, which delays the subsidy starting.
- Letting your award lapse instead of renewing it before it expires.
- Not updating your details when your income, hours or family situation changes.
- Assuming every provider participates: always ask before you sign a contract.
Where to get help
The official NCS website has eligibility information, a subsidy calculator and a parent helpline. Your local City or County Childcare Committee can also offer free guidance on applying. In Dublin there are committees covering Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and they are a useful, impartial source of help.
Keeping your award up to date
An NCS award is not permanent. Awards run for a set period and must be renewed, and you are expected to tell the scheme about changes that could affect your subsidy, such as a change in income, working hours or family size. Setting a reminder a few weeks before your renewal date helps avoid a gap in support, which would mean paying the full fee until the new award is in place.
Once your NCS award is in place it largely runs in the background. A few minutes of preparation at the start can make a real difference to your family's childcare budget.