Ciaran Lynch
Question:489. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the childcare support available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41753/12]
View answerTuesday, 2 October 2012
Questions (489)
Written answers
The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme was introduced in September 2010 and is implemented by my Department. The eligibility criteria under which trainees and students qualify for the programme is determined by FÁS and the Vocational Educational Committees (VECs). The CETS programme provides €145 towards the weekly cost of full time childcare places to participating childcare services for trainees and students who are deemed qualified by FÁS or the VEC. Students on part-time courses are funded on a pro rata basis.
I understand that the person concerned was certified in the previous school year as eligible by the VEC and availed of the CETS programme on the basis of qualifying under the VTOS programme. However, I understand that the VEC has not certified this person as eligible for a place this year under the programme.
My Department also implements the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme which provides funding to community childcare not-for-profit services to enable them to charge reduced childcare rates to low income and disadvantaged families. For the purpose of the CCS programme, disadvantage and low income are determined by reference to a range of means-tested allowances and payments including receipt of a social welfare payment, Family Income Supplement (FIS) and qualification for a medical or GP visit card.
Local City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) will advise parents of the community childcare services participating in the programme which would be convenient to them and Cork City Childcare Committee can be contacted at 021 4507942.