Community Childcare Subvention (CCS & CCSP) Programme

The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Programme is a funded childcare programme targeted to support parents on a low income to avail of reduced childcare costs at participating community childcare services. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs pays for a portion of the childcare costs for eligible children, with the parent paying the remainder.
The Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Programme provides similar support for parents on a low income to avail of reduced childcare costs at participating privately owned childcare services and at community not-for-profit childcare services

Parents receive reductions on the full price fee depending on what band of eligibility they fall into. Generally speaking if you have a medical card / GP visit card (over 6+ yrs) and a qualifying payment e.g. One Parent Family payment, Family Income Supplement you may qualify for a Band A reduction. If you have e.g. a medical card and no other qualifying payment you may receive a Band B rate of Reduction. Terms and conditions apply.

Services may cater for infant, pre-school and afterschool places. They may also incorporate a breakfast club. Some CCS services may be standalone services and cater for just one type of service e.g. afterschool.

Can I get help with my childcare costs?

If you are a parent/guardian who:
• holds a medical card or GP visit card;
• is on low income;
• is in school;
• in further education;
• job training;
• or in receipt of a social welfare payment,

then you may be eligible for assistance with your childcare costs.

What supports are available?

Check the table below to view what ‘band of supports’ are available to you based on your situation

Band A
(with medical card unless otherwise stated)		 Band AJ
(with medical card)		 Band B Band D
Eligibility criteria · One Parent Family Payment
· Widows/Widowers Pension
· Farm Assist
· State Pension
· Blind Pension
· Guardian’s Payment
· Illness/Injury Benefit
· Disability Allowance
· Carer’s Benefit/Allowance
· Back to Work Enterprise/
Education Allowance
· Community Employment/
Rural Social Scheme
· Domiciliary Care Allowance
· Family Income Supplement
(FIS)
· Secondary Students
· Invalidity Pension
· Disablement Pension
· Official Tusla Referrals (no
medical card required)
· HSE Public Health Nurse
referrals
(no medical card required)
· TÚS
· Part-time Job Incentive
Scheme
· Gateway		 · Job Seeker’s Benefit/Allowance*
· Supplementary Welfare Allowance**		 · Medical Card
· Parents who are in
receipt of Social Welfare
payments listed under
Band A/AJ but have no
medical card		 · GP Visit Card (over
6yrs+only)***
· Parents who no longer
qualify for Band A/AJ
this year but who were
verified as being on Band
A/AJ at the end of the
previous school year

*parents who qualify for Band AJ under Jobseeker’s allowance/benefit receive maximum subvented childcare of €80 for full day care per week.

**parents who qualify for Band AJ under Supplementary Welfare Allowance payments receive maximum subvented childcare of €80 for full day care per week.

***Please note GP visit card for children 0-6 years of age does not qualify for CCS/CCSP subvention funding. A Family GP visit card does qualify for CCS/CCPS

The maximum subvention is €145 per week; however, the amount will depend on how much childcare you use and what funding you are eligible for.

Weekly rate Band A
(with medical card unless otherwise stated)		 Band AJ
(with medical card)		 Band B Band D
(Full-Day payment
(5.01 hrs +))		 €145 €80 €70 €50
(Part-time payment
(3:31-5:00))		 €80 €80 €35 €25
(Sessional payment
(2:16-3:30))		 €45 €45 €25 €17
(Half-session payment
(1-2:15))		 €22.50 €22.50 €12.50 €8.50