11/03/2025
Childcare Subsidy Scheme To Continue In NI
Education Minister Paul Givan has announced that the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) will continue into the 2025/26 financial year. The subsidy cap, which determines the maximum amount claimable per child, will also be increased to reflect anticipated childcare fee rises from April 2025, and administrative payments to providers will also be raised.
"Since the scheme launched in September, it has helped ease the financial burden on thousands of parents throughout Northern Ireland, providing over £6.5 million in savings for working families," said Minister Givan. "This is £6.5m 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 £14m since September 2024."
The NICSS, introduced in September 2024, provides a 15% subsidy on childcare costs for working parents with children not yet in primary school. It is delivered through registered childcare providers participating in the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme.
"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," Minister Givan added.
He also addressed the financial support for providers: "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 Minister encouraged parents and providers to register for the scheme, stating: "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.
"Since the scheme launched in September, it has helped ease the financial burden on thousands of parents throughout Northern Ireland, providing over £6.5 million in savings for working families," said Minister Givan. "This is £6.5m 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 £14m 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," Minister Givan added.
He also addressed the financial support for providers: "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 Minister encouraged parents and providers to register for the scheme, stating: "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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
