Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
559. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if under the affordable childcare scheme low-income parents that are not working or in training will be eligible for a maximum 15 hours child care per week. [4133/18]
View answerThe Affordable Childcare Scheme will address a number of issues relating not only to the affordability of childcare but to achieving better outcomes for children and families. Families will qualify for an income-based subsidy based on parental income and, parents’ who are in work or training will be approved for the maximum number of hours of subsidy available. Some families will qualify for the scheme for other reasons and more detail relating to this is included later in this answer. The scheme's approach to eligibility for maximum hours for those in work or in training is based on evidence regarding how to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
When parents are engaged in work (including part-time work and labour market activation programmes) or in education or training, they will be eligible for an enhanced subsidy of up to 40 hours per week. When parents are not in work or training, childcare will be subsidised on a standard basis of up to a maximum of 15 hours per week. I believe that this is a reasonable approach for the majority of children and families.
It will mean that this Scheme is open – albeit for standard hours rather than enhanced hours – to parents who are not taking part in work or training, but who choose to avail of up to 15 hours of childcare per week. In the case of school going children, the child development objectives are met through school-going hours and, as such, the 15 standard hours of childcare applies to non-term time.
The Childcare Support Bill 2017, as published, will enable me to make regulations that specify definitions of "work" and "study" for the purposes of the Scheme. When setting out these definitions, I intend to adopt an inclusive approach that recognises the diversity of progression routes towards labour market participation, particularly for those who are distant from the labour market.
I acknowledge that, where a parent is at home and not engaged in any relevant form of work or study, a family with school age children will not benefit from subsidised after-school childcare. However, I believe it is important that the Scheme should actively support labour market participation through linking the number of hours of subsidy to a family’s need for childcare for the purpose of work, education or training.
There is also a small but important group of families for whom childcare is needed on child welfare grounds or for whom childcare is a necessary early intervention support. Under the current subvention schemes Tusla and the HSE may make referrals for subvention for such families.
For the Affordable Childcare Scheme, the Childcare Support Bill 2017 specifies five statutory bodies that may provide referrals for free or additional childcare: Tusla, the HSE, the Department of Education and Skills (in relation to parents who are under 18), the Department of Justice and Equality (in relation to asylum seekers and programme refugees), and Local Authorities (in relation to homeless children and children transitioning out of homelessness).
It is proposed that, where such a referral is made, families would automatically qualify for a subsidy under the Affordable Childcare Scheme without having to satisfy any income or work/study test. The referring body would recommend the hours of childcare needed, which may - depending on the referring body and the needs of the family - be for up to full-time childcare. The Scheme would then provide the maximum rate of subsidy in respect of those hours of care, and no payment would be asked of the parents in these circumstances. This approach is consistent with current practice under the Community Childcare Subvention scheme and is critical to supporting strong child welfare and protection practices. My officials are currently in discussion with the relevant statutory bodies in relation to the way in which this referral process will operate in the Affordable Childcare Scheme.
