Catherine Connolly
Question:1148. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to increase support for childcare costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36910/18]
View answerFriday, 7 September 2018
Questions (1148)
Written answers
Over the last three budgets (2016, 2017 and 2018), Government has increased investment in childcare by approximately 80%. It is critical that the Government continues to invest in the early years sector to benefit all children and family types and I am very much committed to continuing to push for this investment. The Affordable Childcare Scheme we are developing will provide us with a great infrastructure from which to support childcare costs for parents. Other initiatives introduced this year and last such as the expansion of the free pre-school scheme to two years and the introduction of universal payments for children under 3 are already having an impact.
Further investment in childcare is currently being considered in the context of the budget/estimates process. As this process has not yet been finalised, the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot go into specific detail on my plans.