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Child Care Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Questions (543)

Peter Mathews

Question:

543. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if after school care is available to persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43126/12]

View answer

Written answers

My Department implements the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme which provides funding to community childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare rates to families where one or both parents are in receipt of a social welfare payment or are in low income employment.

For the purpose of the CCS programme, low income is 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. Eligibility for a GP visit card is based on net income and takes account of outgoings such as rent and mortgage repayments and other expenses including childcare costs and travelling expenses. Parents who are in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance are eligible for subvention under the CCS programme.

Parents who consider they are eligible for support under the CCS programme and are seeking childcare support in the current school year should enrol with a participating community childcare service. The service provider will advise of the procedures to be followed to establish entitlement and the level of support available under the programme.

My Department also implements the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme which was introduced in September 2010. 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.

Local City/County Childcare Committees can advise further in relation to these programmes.

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