Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2017
262. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which the universal child care scheme will be administered from September 2017; if the existing platform will be used; when providers will be given detailed information on the way in which the scheme will operate in practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24873/17]
View answerAs I have previously announced, the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) will not be introduced in September 2017, but will be introduced at the earliest possible date.
However, I do not want to delay the benefit of higher childcare subsidies for families. I am pleased to confirm that major improvements in childcare subsidies will therefore come into effect this September, including increases of up to 50% in targeted childcare subsidy rates and a new universal childcare subsidy for children aged between 6 months and 36 months. September’s changes will be delivered through existing childcare schemes, pending the introduction of the ACS.
Childcare subsidies will be provided directly to Tusla-registered childcare providers. All Tusla-registered childcare providers, community and private, can sign up to provide these schemes, ensuring accessibility throughout the country in a range of services to suit the needs of parents.
Childcare subsidies will be administered using the Programme Implementation Platform (PIP); a system that childcare providers are familiar with through the delivery of the ECCE (free pre-school) programme and existing targeted schemes supported by my Department. In the case of the universal childcare subsidy, parents must provide both the child and parent PPS number to their childcare provider to qualify.
In order to raise awareness among both childcare providers and parents, I promised a comprehensive public information campaign before the end of May. I am delighted to report that over this week each childcare provider in the country will receive an information pack on the changes to the schemes I have just outlined. In addition City/County Childcare Committees have been briefed in order to offer local support to childcare providers; a dedicated website has been launched (affordablechildcare.ie) and officials from the DCYA will shortly commence a series of information events throughout the country.
