Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
291. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a Budget 2022 submission by an organisation (details supplied) which calls for a number of measures to tackle costs in the childcare sector; if he will consider the submission in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47360/21]
View answerI can confirm this budget submission was among a number of budget submissions received by my Department in the context of this upcoming Estimates Process.
In the context of Budget 2022, I have stated publicly that early learning and childcare will be a key priority for me. In particular, I will be seeking additional investment to address affordability for parents, improve accessibility and quality for children, ensure providers can operate on a sustainable basis and that their employees can benefit from improved pay and conditions.
An Expert Group was established by my Department in 2019 to develop recommendations for the design of a new funding model to allocate additional funding anticipated for early learning and childcare in order to most effectively achieve these policy objectives.
The Expert Group is comprised of international and national figures who have significant experience of early learning and childcare quality, systems and financing. The Group has undertaken an in-depth programme of research and analysis and engaged in an extensive and detailed stakeholder consultation process. Among the extensive inputs to this Group has been a summary of all budget submissions received by my Department this year.
The report of the Expert Group is currently being drafted and is on track to be submitted to the Minister in November. The work of this Group is informing my Department’s approach to Budget 2022.
