Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
607. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to prioritise funding for the child care sector with a view to continued improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19483/24]
View answerThere has been an unprecedented increase in State investment in early learning and childcare since 2015, albeit from a low base.
Over the period 2015-2018, investment increased by 84 per cent – rising from €265 million per annum to €485 million per annum. This increased investment provided for a doubling of State-funded pre-school under the ECCE Programme – from one year to two – as well the introduction and roll out of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) among other initiatives.
First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies Young Children and their Families was published in 2018 with an ambitious investment target of at least doubling expenditure in the sector by 2028 to approximately €1 billion.
A new funding model was identified as the key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State.
That investment target was exceeded in 2023 - five years ahead of schedule.
Budget 2024 allocated over €1.109 million of early learning and childcare, representing a €83 million (8%) increase on last year’s allocation. This provides for:
The continuation of the universal ECCE programme that will benefit more than 108,000 children in 2024.
The continuation of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) to ensure children with a disability can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare, with an expansion of AIM supports beyond time spent in the ECCE programme, in term and out of term for this first time.
The continuation of the NCS, and the introduction of enhancements to the Scheme – including an increase in the universal subsidy to €2.14 per hour and an increase in the sponsor rate for children over 1 to €5.30 per hour. More than 150,000 unique children will benefit from these changes. Among those to benefit are children in childminder settings, with the NCS to be opened to childminders following the introduction of regulations.
The continuation of Core Funding – which has participation rates of 95% - allowing for enhancements to the Scheme in year 3, supported by a 15% or €44 million increase in the allocation.
The introduction of Equal Start, whereby services will be provided with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage.
The Building Blocks Capacity Grant, which provides for an increase in affordable places in 2024 and 2025, with funding specifically targeted at full time and part time places for 1-3 year olds in areas in where they are needed most.
With investment in the sector to be €1.109 billion in 2024 –the total percentage increase over the period 2015-2024 is 318 per cent.
Exceeding the investment target of approximately €1 billion five years ahead of schedule is a clear demonstration of the value Government places on early learning and childcare, given the benefits it confers to children and their families, society and the economy.
I recognise that however that, despite this progress, investment in Ireland remains low be international standards and I have committed to securing further increases in future Budgets.
A revised investment target was set in the second implementation plan for First 5, which I published in November 2023. This specifies that, over the period 2023-2028, Ireland will work to close the existing gap in public investment in early learning and care against the EU average.
