Early Childcare Supplement (ECS):

Supplementary Budget April 2009-Changes to Early Childcare Supplement

•      ECS is paid monthly in arrears. With effect from March 2009 the rate was €83 per month per child up to and including the month the child reaches 5 years.
•      The June 2009 payment, in respect of May, will be €41.50 per month per child until the month the child reaches 5 or until December 2009, whichever comes first.
•      In cases where children are born or come to live in Ireland from January 2009, payment of ECS starts the month after they are first paid CB. The last made in the month after that in which children are 5 years or until December 2009, whichever comes first.
•      The last ECS payment will be in respect of November 2009, and will be paid in December 2009.
•      From January 2010 ECS will be replaced with a free pre-school year of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for all children between the ages of 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6   months.

For queries relating to payment of the Early Childcare Supplement, please call 1890 60 50 40.