Education Minister has announced a change to the
eligibility criteria for the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy
Scheme (NICSS) that will ensure summer-born children entering
Primary 7 can continue to receive childcare support throughout
the academic year.
The change will benefit children who turn 11 between 2 July and
31 August and are entering Primary 7. These children are not
eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and, as a result, NICSS support,
despite remaining in the same school year as their classmates.
Announcing the decision, said: "I am pleased to
introduce this change to the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy
Scheme, which will ensure that summer-born children in Primary 7
can continue to access the support their families rely upon.
"The previous arrangements created an unintended anomaly whereby
some children lost eligibility for childcare support from the
Childcare Subsidy Scheme solely because of their date of birth,
despite remaining in the same school year as their peers. That
was clearly unfair and placed additional pressure on a small
number of working families.
"This is a practical change that responds directly to concerns
raised by parents and childcare providers in Northern Ireland and
reflects my commitment to supporting working families and making
childcare as accessible and affordable as possible."
The change applies to the NICSS element of childcare support only
and does not extend or amend eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare.
Measures will be put in place to ensure eligible families receive
the support to which they are entitled, including backdated NICSS
payments where appropriate. Guidance will be issued to childcare
providers and parents ahead of the changes taking effect.
Notes to editors:
1. For more information on the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy
Scheme, visit: www.early-years.org/nicss/parents.
