Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2013
14. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she will take to address the availability and affordability of regulated child care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38839/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to developing early childhood care and education as resources allow, and the Government has made a very significant commitment to maintaining the childcare support programmes implemented by my Department - the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme and the new After-school Childcare programme which is being fully rolled out from this month.
It is recognised that intensive and targeted early childhood services have the potential to significantly enhance the life chances of many children. There is significant international evidence of the benefits for children's outcomes of the provision of quality education and childcare in the earliest years. Investment in early childhood care and education benefits not only the individual child but also the future development of the wider economy. I am also aware of the important economic contribution that childcare services provide through direct employment of staff in service delivery and through support for labour participation on the part of working parents.
The CCS programme provides funding to community-based childcare services to enable them to provide childcare at reduced rates to parents in receipt of social welfare payments or on low or relatively modest incomes. For the purpose of the CCS programme, disadvantage and qualifying income are determined by reference to a range of means-tested allowances and payments including receipt of a social welfare payment, Family Income Supplement (FIS) and qualification for a medical or GP visit card. Eligibility for a GP visit card is based on net income and takes account of outgoings such as rent and mortgage repayments and other expenses including childcare costs and travelling expenses. As a result, parents with middle incomes may also benefit from subvention.
The CETS programme provides €145 towards the weekly cost of full time childcare places to participating childcare services in both the community and commercial sectors for qualifying trainees and students. Students on part-time courses are funded on a pro rata basis.
The ECCE programme provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Children qualify for the free pre-school year where they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September in the relevant year.
In the Budget for 2013, I announced, along with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection, an After-school Childcare Programme with provision of €14 million in a full year. This programme will provide important support to parents in low income families wishing to take up employment, along with ensuring that some 6,000 quality after-school care places are provided to support children's development when the initiative is fully completed.
In 2013 the total expenditure by my Department on the childcare support programmes is expected to be in the region of €260 million. I believe that the investment made in childcare supports is an investment in our country’s future prosperity. I have, despite the ongoing need to reduce Government expenditure, provided sufficient funding to ensure that the programmes are maintained, and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in excess of 100,000 children throughout the country are being supported by the programmes administered by my Department this year.
