Terence Flanagan
Question:120. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding child care costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22662/15]
View answerWednesday, 10 June 2015
Questions (120)
Written answers
Targeted funding is currently provided by my Department to support a number of childcare programmes. This funding, which is in the region of €260 million annually, provides support to more than 100,000 children each year. The programmes include the universal free pre-school year to which all children have access and a number of targeted programmes that assist low income and disadvantaged families and parents returning to the workforce. Only qualifying parents whose children are enrolled in childcare services participating in the programmes benefit from these supports.
I have established an Inter-Departmental Group to develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in early years and school-age care and education. This Group is considering the needs of children in their early years as well as the needs of school-going children. The Group has solicited the views of key stakeholders through a number of consultative processes including the Open Policy Debate on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education Services. The Group will make recommendations to Government on the direction of childcare investment that will support parents accessing childcare services in the future. The issue raised by the Deputy is not a matter for consideration.