Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2016
273. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total amount of the child care budget for 2016 that is used to fund better start quality development service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36681/16]
View answerThe Better Start Quality Development Service is a national initiative established by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) to bring an integrated national approach to developing quality in Early Years Education and Care (ECEC) for children aged from birth to six years in Ireland. It is intended to coordinate and extend the wide-ranging choice of supports and services already provided through City and County Childcare Committees and Voluntary Childcare Organisations. €2.9m has been allocated to this in 2016, and I anticipate that this will be drawn down in its entirety prior to year end.
In addition, my Department has funded 50 Early Years Inclusion Service posts nationwide through the Better Start programme to provide supports to childcare providers implementing the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). Funding of over €4m has been allocated to this in 2016.
