Early Childhood Care and Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 December 2020

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

Questions (97)

Alan Farrell

Question:

97. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare providers operating under the ECCE scheme from 2017 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40667/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The number of early learning services contracted to provide the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) programme per year since 2017 is as follows:

Programme Year Total Services

2017/2018 4248

2018/2019 4269

2019/2020 4261

For the current programme year, 2020-2021 3,966 services have contracted up to November 30th and this number will likely increase as new services open throughout this programme year.