Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1067. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the proposed Equal Participation Model; how he envisages it will support children who may be vulnerable or are experiencing disadvantage; what changes are being made to the sponsorship process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48406/23]
View answerI am pleased to have secured an allocation of €4.5m to commence the first phase of rollout of the Equal Participation Model from September 2024.
Officials in my Department are progressing work to finalise the Equal Participation Model (EPM) which will aim to help children and their families who may be experiencing disadvantage to access early learning and childcare settings, through a range of supports, universal and targeted.
The design of the EPM is being finalised based on extensive feedback and consultations with educators, parents, providers and representative organisations. The detail will be published in early 2024.
The response will be multifaceted reflecting the complexity of need, and will be rolled out in stages as funding becomes available and as the design of certain elements is progressed.
Implementation will be phased with ongoing engagement with key stakeholders on later phases being a key element of the implementation approach.
Effective September 2024, an increase in the ‘sponsor rate’ under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) for children aged one and over, to €5.30 from a minimum of €4.31-€5.00, depending on the age of the child. Sponsored awards are specifically targeted at more vulnerable families based on family need, homelessness, or refugee status. A sponsored award provides the highest level of NCS subsidy without the need for an income assessment, and so eases access to early learning and childcare for these children.
