Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2011
202 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding is available to a person with children who has been accepted to attend a post leaving certificate course to help with the cost of child care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23593/11]
View answerMy Department funds a provision for student support for learners attending PLC courses. Under the terms of the scheme, grant assistance is awarded to learners who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. The person should contact their local Vocational Education Committee (VEC) to establish their eligibility.
In addition, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs subsidises the childcare and preschool fees of disadvantaged and lower income families under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme. Parents are charged the cost price of their childcare, less any subvention they qualify for. Subventions under the scheme depend on the level of service, and the level of disadvantage of the parents. The person can contact their local County Childcare Committee for more information.
