Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Scheme
The Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) was replaced by the CCS in September 2010. The CCS continues to be restricted to community/not-for-profit childcare services. The CCS Scheme continues to support disadvantaged parents and provides support for parents in low paid employment and training or education. The changes from the CCSS are as follows:
- Band A has been expanded to include parents on Family Income Support (FIS).
- Band A parents who are in receipt of Job Seekers Benefit/Assistance receive subvention for a maximum of five hours of childcare per day, or 2.5 days per week. (known as Band AJ)
- Band B includes low income working parents above the FIS threshold, for example parents holding medical or GP visit cards.
The CCS programme allows eligible parents to access reduced childcare costs at participating community childcare services. The table below outlines the weekly subvention rates for Band A or B, based on the type of service the child is availing of. (The list of payments under Band A in the table is not exhaustive. Where clarification is required please contact the City / County Childcare Committee).
| Level of Service | Band A | Band B |
| One Parent Family Payment
Widows/Widowers Pension
Job Seekers Benefit/Assistance* (AJ)
Pre-retirement Allowance
Farm Assist
State Pension
Blind Pension
Guardian’s Payment
Illness/Injury Benefit
Disability Allowance
Carer’s Benefit/ Allowance
Back to Work/Education Allowance
Supplementary Welfare Allowance**
Community Employment
Domiciliary Care Allowance
Family Income Supplement (FIS)
HSE Referrals
Secondary School students | Medical Card
GP Visit Card
Parents who no longer qualify for Band A/AJ this year but who were verified as being on Band A/AJ the previous school year |
| Full-Day Payment | €100 | €50 |
| Half-Day Payment | €50 | €25 |
| Sessional Payment | €33 | €17 |
| Half Session Payment | €16 | €8.50 |
* parents in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit/Assistance (JB / JA) qualify for subvented childcare to a maximum of €50 subvention per week (Band AJ).
** A similar cap applies to Basic Payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, as many
of those in receipt of such payments are awaiting a decision on a Jobseekers Benefit/Assistance claim. In
the event that this payment concludes with a successful claim which attracts a full rate Band A eligibility
(e.g. One parent Family Payment) then the eligibility for that payment can be back dated to the start of the
period for which the basic payment applied.