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Child Care Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2012

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Questions (265)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

265. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for developing childcare; if she will recommend a proposed model of childcare; if she has examined the model of childcare used in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45220/12]

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Written answers

The Government currently supports the provision of early childhood care and education through three support programmes - the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme.

There are currently no proposals to reform these schemes or childcare provision generally. However, given the evidence that shows the importance to children's development of quality experiences in their earliest years, possible developments relating to early years care and education are being considered as part of the preparation of the new National Early Years Strategy 2012. This new Strategy will cover a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life and will seek to identify best practice in other jurisdictions that might be suitable to be applied here. My Department and the Department of Education and Skills are involved in a number of international groups on Early Years and have access to the most up to date information on developments in other jurisdictions to help inform decisions.

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