Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
434. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to address the situation whereby child care service providers receive capitation for 38 weeks but their staff are entitled to be paid for 41 weeks; if he is aware of the impact this shortfall has on the finances of these providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14747/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the region of €170 million is provided annually by my Department to support the provision of a free pre-school year under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The free pre-school provision is provided over a period of 38 weeks with approximately 4,300 childcare services throughout the country participating in the programme.
The funding provided under the ECCE programme is a guaranteed source of funding to participating services and has enabled many childcare providers to continue to deliver childcare services at a time of economic difficulty. I recognise the difficulties being faced by childcare providers and I am aware of the concerns of childcare professionals in relation to levels of remuneration in the childcare sector. However, the remuneration for childcare workers is a matter for agreement between employers and employees.
I am aware that staff remuneration does account for the great proportion of the overall cost of providing childcare services and I acknowledge that increased capitation and subvention payments through the childcare support programmes would assist childcare services in addressing these cost issues. I have indicated that, if resources become available to my Department, I will consider the scope for increasing the level of these capitation payments.
To ensure that all the benefits of current (and future) investment are fully realised, it must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. Accordingly, I have established an Inter-Departmental Group to develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in childcare. This Group is considering the needs of children in their early years as well as the needs of school-going children. The Group, which is still in the early stages of its deliberations, will submit its final report to Government in June 2015.
