Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2017
444. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the fact that early years practitioners have had to learn new systems and programmes with no additional funding; if there will be an additional administration budget for the 2017-2018 annual year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9208/17]
View answerIn Budget 2017, I was pleased to secure additional funding of €14.5m, to help ease the burden of administration on childcare providers by paying for over a week's 'non-contact time' on top of existing capitation payments. Officials are making the arrangements necessary to administer this payment, which will be made in summer 2017. I am of the view that, in the long term, the cost of administration of schemes operated on behalf of my Department should be fully integrated into the capitation payments made to services. Research is necessary to accurately capture the cost - and time - burdens that providers face, and I am committed to undertaking this. In relation to the 2017-2018 year, I will be seeking funding for administration costs for childcare providers as part of the estimates process prior to Budget 2018.
