Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2015
356. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration will be given to re-instating the early childcare supplement funding levels of 2009 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7701/15]
View answerThe Early Childcare Supplement (ECS), which in 2008 represented an investment of €480 million, was discontinued by the previous Government with effect from the end of December 2009. Part of the resources made available to support the ECS was redirected to provide for the free preschool provision, introduced under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
The ECCE programme represents an annual investment of almost €175 million and provides free preschool care and education to approximately 68,000 children each year. This funding has been maintained despite the difficult budgetary position that has prevailed over the last four years. The introduction of a second preschool year would require considerable additional funding, broadly in line with the cost of the current one-year provision and this additional funding is not presently available due to the financial constraints under which the Government is operating.
I will be looking 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 coordinated. 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.
