Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1908. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of child care costs for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25941/16]
View answerFriday, 16 September 2016
Questions (1908)
Written answers
It is my understanding that the person in question participated in the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Programme for the 2015/2016 Programme year, and it is this Programme to which I believe the Deputy refers. The call for the 2015/2016 Programme Year ended on 19th August 2016, while the call for the 2016/2017 Programme year commenced on the 22nd August 2016. Persons eligible for the CCS Programme in 2016/2017 are invited to apply for the programme through their childcare service. Therefore, if the person in question is still eligible for the Programme I would encourage them to apply as specified.
Approval for funding through the CCS Programme is based on the child being registered in the childcare service during the 'Snapshot' period, which for the 2016/2017 Programme call is the 19th September 2016 to 14th October 2016 inclusive. The applicant must also be in receipt of the relevant social welfare payments and/or hold a valid medical card/GP Visit Card during the same period. CCS registrations open on 19th September 2016.
The CCS Programme provides funding to community/not-for-profit and private childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare fees to disadvantaged and low income families. Depending on whether a parent is in receipt of a social welfare payment, or holds a valid medical/GP Visit Card, they will benefit from a weekly fee reduction of between €50 and €95 for a full-time childcare place, between €25 and €47.50 for a part-time childcare place, and between €17 and €31.35 for a sessional (not more than 3 hours and 30 minutes) childcare place. Parents in receipt of Job Seeker's Benefit and Assistance qualify for subvention at the full rate but are restricted to part-time provision (i.e. not more than 5 hours per day or 2.5 days per week).
Parents deemed eligible for subvention, under the CCS Programme, will continue to benefit from reduced fees for the full period in which they qualify. There are no plans, at present, to limit this by reference to a defined period of time.