THE number of children benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in Limerick in the past year has increased by 14 per cent.
That’s according to figures from the Department of Children, Disability, and and Equality, which show 11,014 children in Limerick receiving NCS subsidies last year.
245,731 children in total nationwide benefitted in 2025 from the scheme, which provides financial support to families for early learning and childcare costs.
Subsidies under the scheme include a non-means-tested €2.14 per hour towards childcare costs up to a maximum of 45 hour per week. Income-assessed subsidies are available to families with children between 24 weeks and 15 years, calculated on the level of income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in a family.
This comes amid pending changes to the scheme at the end of the year. From September 2026, the lower income threshold for the means-tested subsidy will increase from €26,000 to €34,000, and the upper threshold from €60,000 to €68,000. The multiple child discount will also be increased.
The Government said these new moves will “improve affordability for up to 47,000 children from low-income families”.
There will also be reductions in the highest fees charged to parents across the country from September 2026, with the lowering of the maximum fees that Core Funding Partner Services can charge.
County Limerick TD and Minister of State at the Justice Department welcomed the update, saying that “this is positive news as more families in Limerick are benefitting from this impactful scheme.”
“Government must do all it can to support families during with childcare.”