Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
58. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he agrees that the cost of childcare is one of the main barriers for mothers accessing third-level education; and the steps he will take to help support mothers in third-level or who wish to enter third-level to cope with the burden of high childcare costs. [22359/20]
View answerEarly learning and care and school-age childcare allows parents (and mothers in particular) to participate in training and employment which in turn increases family income and reduces the risk of poverty.
The sector in Ireland has developed rapidly in the past decade, with State investment has increasing by 141% in the last five years. A major programme of reform is currently underway. The scale of this reform is outlined in First 5, A whole-of-government strategy for babies, young children and their families (2019-2028), published in November 2018. Significant progress has been to date, including the introduction of the National Childcare Scheme.
I am very aware of the struggle of many parents of balancing childcare with work and education commitments that is why the National Childcare Scheme is designed to improve the accessibility and affordability of quality childcare for all families. By replacing the legacy schemes, the Scheme has increased the number of families who can avail of subsidised childcare, and remove the many restricting eligibility requirements.
In this way, the NCS aims to combat the poverty traps which may exist within the legacy schemes, and to appropriately incentivise employment and education or training for parents, a policy objective that is known to benefit child and family outcomes
From this month, the maximum number of hours available for an enhanced award for parents who are working, studying or training will increase from 40 to 45 hours. The maximum subsidy available will rise from €204 to €229.50 a week.
The NCS study rule is generous and flexible. It allows parents access the maximum subsidised care per week when completing any NFQ qualification (from level 1) for a small number of hours per week.
At a broader level, my Department sits on the cross-departmental group convened to respond to the DES-commissioned Lone Parents Review 2017 where NCS forms a component of the response
Similarly, the implementation of the Scheme is also an action in the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017- 2020 includes NCS.
