Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1072. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, given the 25% fee reduction in Budget 2024, he will outline if he has any plans to go further than freezing fees and begin the process of reducing fees charged by services; to qualify how families who use a childminder will be able to access NCS subsidies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48404/23]
View answerThe approach to introducing Fee Management under Core Funding is guided by the recommendations of the Expert Group outlined in Partnership for the Public Good, and approved by Government. It ensures that the introduction of Fee Management to the sector is done in a sustainable and considered manner.
Specific recommendations on fee management include; the introduction of a fee freeze in the first instance, improvements to price comparability, and developments to the fee management system further to the assessment of cost data
Fee management started with a requirement of providers not to increase fees on September 2021 levels. The approach for fee management in future years will be guided by the Expert Group recommendations and may include the introduction of a common national provider fee structure and rates, and transitional arrangements such as where all fee rates would have to fall within a specified percentage tolerance range around a given rate.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to childminders at the earliest possible opportunity, though it will be necessary first to develop and introduce childminder-specific regulations, and to give childminders adequate time and support to meet regulatory requirements during Phase 1 of the implementation.??
Phase 1 will be completed when the exemption to registration has been removed from the Child Care Act 1991 and the childminder-specific regulations have been commenced. All childminders will then be able to register their services and provide parents with access to the National Childcare Scheme. Subject to amendment of the Child Care Act 1991 and the introduction of the new regulations, it is expected that parents who use childminders will be able to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme from autumn 2024.
