Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 April 2013
18. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether a Scandinavian model of childcare could be adapted to an Irish context; her plans to develop same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18974/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that I believe the provision of adequate childcare is essential to support parents and especially those parenting alone to take up employment. Employment offers the best protection for those at risk of poverty and this is especially the case for families with children. The model of child care which is available in Scandanavia is a very comprehensive model although it is also very expensive. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs (D/CYA) estimates that the cost of universal child care provision in Ireland could reach around €1 billion per annum. In light of the current fiscal environment, this level of funding is not available. In December I announced, along with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs a new pilot afterschool childcare scheme which will be funded from the transfer of savings from my Department as part of the Budget. The scheme will provide 6,000 places on an annual basis and will cost €14m. The first phase of this pilot scheme for the provision of after school childcare places will begin on 29 April. Up to 500 childcare places will be available to people who have been long term unemployed or were former recipients of the One Parent Family Payment and who have got a job offer or have significantly increased their part time work.
The rate of subsidy for the scheme is €35 per week rate of subvention and a parental contribution of €20 per week per child. During school holidays the subvention rate will increase to €100 per week but the parental contribution will remain at €20 per week. In this phase the scheme will be made available in seven locations and can be applied for through seven local offices of the Department of Social Protection Finglas, Dundalk, Tralee, King’s Inn Street, Cork city, Mullingar and Limerick city (Dominic Street). Customers who meet the criteria will get a letter of eligibility so that they can apply to the local childcare committee for a place. The new scheme will incentivise and support people who are long term unemployed to avail of an employment opportunity by providing them with increased access to subsidised after-school child care. The scheme will build on the existing supports provided for, and implemented by, the D/CYA in the child care sector, including the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) schemes, through which child care is provided to some 40,000 children of low-income parents at reduced rates.
