Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2015
146. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will increase the capitation fee payable under the early childhood care and education scheme to the level required to provide the service; if he will re-instate 2011 levels of capitation as an interim measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7740/15]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education programme provides a free preschool year to all eligible children, in the age range 3 years and 2 months to 4 years and 7 months, before commencing primary school.
A total of €175 million is spent on the free preschool year annually. This funding enables some 67,000 children each year to receive free preschool education. The Government succeeded in maintaining the preschool year on a universal and free basis despite the difficult budgetary situation that prevailed in recent years. While considerable progress has been made in correcting the overall budgetary situation, the funding available to my Department does not allow for an increase in the capitation rate paid to child care providers. I have indicated that, if resources become available to my Department, I will consider the scope for increasing the level of payments.
However, I want to look at the question of appropriate supports for child care in a wider context. It is crucial that we develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in child care services. To ensure that all the benefits of our full range of child care investments are fully realised, future public investment in child care must be evidence-based and strategically co-ordinated. I have established an Inter-departmental Group to look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group as well as to consider the after-school needs of older school-going children. I have asked the Group to report to me by the Summer.
