Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2021
180. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to revisit the ECCE capitation and the shortfall in funding faced by childcare facilities that run a seasonal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32170/21]
View answerMy Department is not planning to reviewing the capitation levels paid to the providers of ECCE services for the forthcoming 2021/22 ECCE programme year.
The capitation levels for the 2021-22 ECCE programme year were published by Pobal on 27 May 2021, and are set at €69 per child per 15 hours of ECCE per week, with a higher capitation rate of €80.25 per child per week where the ECCE programme is provided by a childcare practitioner with a relevant qualification of level 7 or above.
ECCE service providers are currently eligible for additional supports from the State due to the Covid pandemic. These supports include an enhanced rate of Employee Wage Support Payment, which covers, on average, 80% of a providers wage bill. In addition, providers who are facing financial difficulties can apply for support from my Department's Sustainability Fund.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department is currently carrying out a review of the Funding Model for the early learning and childcare sector, which includes consideration of the interaction between the existing streams of current funding, including ECCE, and any new Funding Model. The new Funding Model will build on other schemes to leverage improvements in quality, affordability, accessibility and social inclusion.
Any proposals to increase the current ECCE capitation will be considered following the completion of the review of the Funding Model.
