Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
1674. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to provide further supports to parents that opt to stay at home from work to mind their children rather than placing their children with child minding services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38216/17]
View answer1675. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the supports available for parents who choose to stay at home to care for their children; the new and additional supports she plans to provide to assist these parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38233/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1674 and 1675 together.
I am committed to the provision of childcare options for families that respect parental choice and reflect international evidence on how to attain the best outcomes for children. While operational responsibility for these do not fall within my policy remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I support the extension of parental leave for parents; particularly in the crucial first year.
The Government has provided additional support for parents who choose to care for their children at home by increasing the Home Carer Tax Credit to €1,100 per year in budget 2017, as well as provisions for maternity benefit, parental leave and the recently introduced paternity leave. I support an increase in the earnings threshold for this, and have raised this with the Minister for Finance. It should be noted that the Programme for Government commits to extending paid leave for parents in the first year of a child's life, which will be a key financial support enabling parents to care for their children at home in the critical first year.
The measures currently being rolled out across the country to make childcare more affordable are an important first step in making childcare more accessible for parents who choose to return to training or employment. However, it is important to recognise that these measures and those that will commence once the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) is up and running are only one element of a broader set of commitments and supports aimed at parents and children. The provision of improved services for centre-based care is very important, but I will not lose sight of the needs of children who do not attend them. In this regard, Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People contains a commitment to produce Ireland’s first-ever National Early Years Strategy. The intention is to deliver a cross-cutting strategy which will take a joined-up, whole of Government approach to the issue of supporting children and their families during the early years (0-6 years). The drafting of the National Early Years Strategy is well advanced. In December 2016 I hosted an Open Policy Debate on the strategy with a view to completion of the strategy this year.
My Department presently provides a number of childcare schemes which are available to all families, both working parents and parents who choose to stay at home to care for their children. The ECCE free pre-school programme has been extended from September 2016 - children’s eligibility for ECCE has increased from 38 weeks for all children, to an average of 61 weeks (ranging from 51 to 88 weeks depending on date of birth and age starting school) and is universally available. The Affordable Childcare Scheme, once launched will also be open for all families, whether or not they are in employment.
