Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2013
748. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details of all funding programmes in her Department that community, voluntary and sporting organisations may apply to for funding; if she will provide a brief overview of each programme; the opening and closing dates of each programme; the minimum and maximum amounts of funding that may be applied for [5378/13]
View answerCommunity Childcare providers can apply to participate in a number of Government targeted childcare programmes where they satisfy the entry criteria.
These programmes are:-
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal programme that provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. A standard capitation of €62.50 per week for each child enrolled is paid to participating childcare services over a period of 38 weeks in each school year. A higher capitation of €73 per week is paid to services that employ staff who have higher qualifications. Services wishing to enter this programme should contact their local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC) early in the calendar year for details of the application process.
The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme provides funding to community childcare services to enable them to deliver quality childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income working parents. Parents who are entitled to the full rate of subvention can receive up to €95 per week towards the cost of childcare. There are in excess of 900 community services participating in this programme which is closed to new entrants at present except where the new service can replace an existing service which has opted out of the programme. The CCCs will be in a position to advise new services if there is an opportunity to apply for entry to the programme.
The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme provides funding towards the cost of childcare places to qualifying FÁS or Vocational Education Committee (VEC) trainees or students for the duration of their courses. Under the programme €145 per week is paid to the childcare provider towards the cost of a full day childcare place. The CCCs will also provide details of the entry criteria for this programme.
A new After School childcare programme, which is a joint collaboration with the Department of Social Protection, is being introduced this year and is expected to receive full year funding of €14 million to provide over 6,000 quality after-school places for children attending primary school. It is expected that this programme will be open to community childcare providers and details of the application process for providers wishing to deliver the programme will be available shortly.
The total annual funding allocated to these programmes is in the region of €260 million. In addition to the above support programmes a new Capital Grant fund of €3.25 million for childcare services is being made available in 2013. I am currently considering how the allocation can best be utilised for the benefit of the childcare sector.
My Department also supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people by the voluntary youth sector, including those from disadvantaged communities.
These schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (Rounds 1 and 2) and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres and Local Drug Task Force projects.
Details of funding allocated to these schemes in 2012 are outlined hereunder:
Youth Service Grant Scheme – funding is provided to 31 national and major regional voluntary organisations to support their work in the provision of youth programmes and activities.
€11.051m in 2012.
Special Projects for Youth – grant-aid is provided in respect of out-of-school projects (181 in 2012) for disadvantaged young people. Priority is given to projects in the spheres of special youth work initiatives, young homeless people, young substance abusers and young travellers.
€17.042m in 2012.
Youth Information Centres – resources are provided for the network of Youth Information Centres. The purpose of these Centres is to provide young people with easy access to information on rights, opportunities, benefits, health, welfare and other matters.
€1.4m in 2012.
Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (Rounds 1 and 2) – this fund supports youth facilities, including sports and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop.
€21.332m in 2012.
Local Drug Task Force projects – These 21 youth related projects target young people under the various pillars of the National Drugs Strategy, and provide a range of supports for young people by way of targeted drug prevention and awareness programmes as well as referral.
€1.34m in 2012.
The above schemes have not been opened to new applications for funding in recent years.
Funding of €53.173m has been provided to my Department for the provision of youth services in 2013 and my Department is currently finalising the allocations for organisations and projects in 2013. In light of budgetary constraints, the emphasis in 2013 will be on supporting existing youth programmes and services for young people including those with fewer opportunities.
The funding budget of €53.173m for 2013 includes €1.75m for a new capital funding programme for 2013. This will include €1.5m for youth cafés and youth projects. Criteria for the schemes are being developed at present and my Department will be announcing details regarding the application process for 2013 shortly.
My Department also provides funding for a Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which supports youth work activities at a local level (€1.035m in 2012). These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through local Vocational Education Committees. The allocation for this scheme will be notified to the VECs over the coming month and applications for funding will be subsequently invited by the VECs from local groups in their areas.
