Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1068. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional funding required to increase funding for the ECCE scheme by 10%; if he will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of those proposed new funding levels; when funding for ECCE was last increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36795/23]
View answerThe ECCE scheme is a universal programme which provides 2 years of free preschool to children in the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months. My Department funds private early learning and care service providers to provide the ECCE programme at a standard rate of €69 per week per child attending the ECCE programme.
In calculating the full year cost of increasing ECCE capitation by 10%, officials in my Department used the total budget allocation for the ECCE scheme for 2023 which is €264.6 million. Using this allocation the estimated full year cost of increasing ECCE capitation by 10% would be €26.46 million on a no change basis.
|
- |
Standard capitation per child per week |
Cost per year |
|
Current Rate |
€69 |
€264m |
|
10% Increase |
€75.90 |
€291m |
The standard ECCE capitation was last increased in 2018, where the rate per child per week was increased by 7%, from €64.50 to €69.00. The increase of €4.50 goes directly to the provider and the remaining €64.50 reducing the fees paid by the parent/guardian.
I would also note that further funding is available for childcare services through the new Core Funding scheme. Through ECCE and Core Funding combined, services receive a minimum of €79.20 per child per week in capitation and a maximum of €95.85, with additional funding awarded for services employing graduate lead educators and graduate managers.
