Child care support during FÁS training courses

Information

If you are attending a vocational training course through FÁS, you may be able to avail of a grant to assist with childcare costs. FÁS is Ireland's national training and development authority, providing a range of training and employment programmes aimed at employers, employees and unemployed people. FÁS also has responsibility for providing labour market services for people with disabilities.

For some people, the prospect of childcare costs can be a disincentive to availing of training courses. This scheme can help cover costs of childcare for children up to and including 13 years of age attending primary school. People who are undertaking FÁS apprenticeships are not covered by this scheme.

Childcare that is funded can be provided in crèches, playgroups or with a childminder. After-school care is also considered eligible under this scheme.

Everyone may not be eligible under this scheme and it is important to be aware of the eligibility requirements.

Rules

You may apply for a grant for assistance with childcare costs while undertaking a FÁS vocational training course if:

• You are currently unemployed and would like to obtain work and wish to undertake a FÁS vocational training programme
• You are the main carer of a child/children
• You need assistance with child care in order to take up a training opportunity

Rates

If you are in full-time training

If you are in part-time training

*School holiday periods: For school going children, the FÁS contribution towards childcare will be increased for the holiday periods as specified by FÁS. For trainees on full-time programmes, the FÁS contribution will increase to €63.50 per child regardless of the age of the child. For trainees on part-time programmes, the FÁS contribution will increase to €38.00 per child regardless of the age of the child. 

If your actual childcare costs are less than the rates listed above, then the lower rates above will be paid by FÁS.

FÁS training courses are free and you will be paid a training allowance for the duration of your course.

How to apply

You can normally apply for a grant under this scheme through your local FÁS office.  In some cases, (that is, if there is no local FÁS office in your area or if the training you are doing is in a centre that is sponsored by FÁS), you can apply through your local training provider, such as a Community Training Workshop.

It is up to you to identify the childcare service that is appropriate to your needs. Before you begin your course, an application form needs to be completed by you and your child care provider. Your completed application form should then be returned to FÁS or the person providing the vocational training.

When your application has been approved, the payment will be made by FÁS directly to the child care provider.

You can get further information and application forms (forms are not available online), from your local FÁS Employment Services Office or LES (Local Employment Services) office. If you have any difficulty in completing your application form, staff in your local office will be happy to assist you.

There is a wide range of FÁS training and education programmes available throughout the network of FÁS centres nation-wide.

Where to apply