Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2015
327. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will support the Edenmore Early Education Centre, Dublin 5 with increased investment and a cohesive early childhood education and care strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3711/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department implements a number of programmes to support parents with the cost of childcare. The pre-school service referred to by the Deputy is participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
The ECCE programme is a free and universal programme which provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children. For the academic year 2014/2015, based on the higher capitation rate payments of €73 per child per week and its current enrolment, this service will be entitled to total funding in the region of €83,000 under this programme.
In addition to this universal provision, there are targeted schemes in place to help parents on low incomes with childcare costs when participating in education, training and when moving from welfare to work. These include the three Training and Employment Support programmes. Together with the Community Childcare Subvention Programme (which is open only to community not-for-profit childcare services) and the ECCE programme, these programmes represent an annual investment of approximately €260 million and support the parents of more than 100,000 children. This service should engage with the local City/County Childcare Committee to establish if it is eligible to participate in any further childcare support programmes.
I recently announced a proposal to establish a cross-Departmental group at senior level to develop a whole-of-Government approach to future investment in early childhood care and education and after-school care. The group will undertake an economic and cost benefit analysis of policies and future options for increasing the supply, accessibility and affordability of quality childhood care and education services.
The group, which will be chaired by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, will include representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Education & Skills, Social Protection, Jobs & Innovation, Public Expenditure & Reform and Finance. It is intended that the group will report to Government in the Summer.
