Education Minister Paul Givan has today announced that the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) will continue into 2025/26.
The NICSS subsidy cap, which is the maximum amount that can be claimed per child, has also been increased to reflect the anticipated rise in childcare fees from April 2025 while the administrative payment paid to providers delivering the scheme has also been raised.
Paul Givan said: “Since the scheme launched in September, it has helped ease the financial burden on thousands of parents throughout Northern Ireland, providing over £6.5million in savings for working families.
“This is £6.5million additional money Northern Ireland parents have in their pockets as a direct result of the scheme. When combined with Tax-Free Childcare, it is estimated that these working families will have saved over £14million since September 2024.
“I am therefore pleased to announce that the NICSS will continue into 2025/26. I am also increasing the subsidy cap by 10% from 1 April 2025 to ensure that the vast majority of parents continue to receive the full subsidy available.”
The NICSS was first introduced in September 2024 and provides a 15% subsidy on childcare costs to support working parents with children who have not yet started primary school.
It is delivered by registered childcare providers participating in the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme, including daycares, playgroups, childminders, and Approved Home Childcares.
The Minister continued: “We are also increasing the administrative payment to providers who facilitate the scheme in recognition of their increased operating costs and to ensure these costs are not passed on to parents.
“The NICSS continues to provide valuable support to working families and I will consider what more can be done when my budget for next year is confirmed. I would encourage any parents or providers who have not yet signed up to register and take advantage of the scheme.”
Further details on the revised cap and provider payments will be communicated directly to registered providers by the scheme’s administrator, the Early Years Organisation, in the coming days.
