Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
1006. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to implement the recommendations of the INFORM report previously provided to his Department regarding the introduction of universal public childcare here. [20466/20]
View answerState investment in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) has increased by an unprecedented 141% over the past 5 budgets (from €260m to €638m). This has enabled, for example, a doubling of the ECCE programme to two years, a doubling of the number of children availing of State subsidies, a 60% increase in ELC and SAC places, greater access to ELC and SAC for children with additional needs and development of the new National Childcare Scheme.
The Programme for Government acknowledges that more needs to be done to tackle the challenges of accessibility, affordability and quality of ELC and SAC and that more investment is needed.
First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families pledges to at least double State investment in ELC and SAC by 2028. It also commits to ensure this additional investment delivers for children, families and the State .
There are a number of reform projects committed to in First 5 and in the Programme for Government that have relevance to the recommendations of the INFORM report, including the review of the operating system, the development of a new funding model for ELC and SAC, and the development of a Workforce Development Plan.
This week I announced that I will shortly establish an Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) to commence a review of the operating and oversight model used to support accessible, affordable and high quality ELC and SAC services. The operating model resulting from the review should better support service providers, operate transparently and accountably, provide value for money to the Exchequer and demonstrate good governance. The model would enable appropriate linkages and effective working relationships with all other agencies and Departments charged with delivering better outcomes for children and families.
An Expert Group to develop the new funding model has been convened and work is well underway. This Group is composed of renowned academics, top level economists and experienced policy makers from Ireland and elsewhere – all of whom have an enormous breadth of knowledge and experience. The Expert Group’s Terms of Reference are as follows:
- Agree a set of guiding principles to underpin the new Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School Age
- Review the existing approach to funding Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in terms of its alignment with the guiding principles as well as effectiveness in delivering on the policy objectives of quality, affordability, accessibility and contributing to addressing disadvantage
- Drawing on international evidence, identify and consider options on how additional funding for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare could be structured to deliver on the guiding principles and above policy objectives
- Agree a final report including a proposed design for a new Funding Model, with accompanying costings, risk analysis and mitigation and phased implementation plan (with funding likely to become available on an incremental basis) to recommend to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and ultimately Government.
Six meetings of the Group have been held to date and documentation from these meeting is publicly available at www.first5fundingmodel.gov.ie.
A research partner has also been appointed to deliver evidence-based working papers to the Expert Group. Working papers on international approaches to funding, fees, staff wages and public investment in Ireland compared to other countries; potential mechanisms to control fees charged to parents, approaches to identifying children and/or services in need of additional support, and working conditions within the sector, have already been carried out and these are now being considered by the Expert Group. Other papers are under development. Working papers will be published from later this year.
Preparation of a Workforce Development Plan for the ELC and SAC sector is also well underway. This will set out plans to raise the profile of careers in the sector, establishing role profiles, career pathways, qualification requirements, and associated policy mechanisms, along with leadership development opportunities and measures to deliver a more gender-balanced and diverse workforce.
In all of this work, DCYA is committed to continuing to engage with key stakeholders, including children, families, providers and the workforce. Owing to COVID-19, a series of regional consultation events due to take place in March had to be cancelled. However, over the coming weeks and months, the Funding Model and Workforce Development Groups will be inviting interested parties to make written submissions and to participate in online conversations on future funding and the future workforce.
