Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
5. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will increase the capitation fee payable under the early childhood care and education scheme to the level required to provide the service; if he will reinstate the 2011 level of capitation as an interim measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14647/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question relates to the level of funding available to child care facilities, particularly those which are community based. The level of such funding is simply not adequate to allow such facilities to provide services.
The early childhood care and education programme, ECCE, provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the age range three years and two months to four years and seven months before they commence primary school. A standard capitation fee of €62.50 per week per eligible child is paid to participating child care services. A higher capitation fee of €73 per week is paid per eligible child to services with more highly qualified staff. In 2012 it was necessary to reduce the level of capitation provided under the ECCE programme in order to ensure that the Department's spending remained within the restricted limits set by Government following the severe downturn in the economy. The Government succeeded, despite the difficult budgetary situation, in maintaining the preschool year on a universal and free basis. Annual funding of more than €170 million continues to be provided and some 67,000 children benefit each year from the programme.
Restoring capitation payments to pre-2012 levels would cost in the region of €5 million annually. While we have made considerable progress in correcting the overall budgetary situation, the funding available to my Department does not allow me to increase capitation payments at present. I have indicated that if resources become available to my Department, I will consider the scope for increasing the level of payments. However, I want to consider the question of appropriate supports for child care in a wider context. It is crucial that we develop a coherent whole-of-government approach to investment in child care services. To ensure that all the benefits of our complete range of child care investments are fully realised, future public investment in child care must be evidence based and strategically co-ordinated. I have established an interdepartmental group to examine the provision right across the zero to six age group, as well as to consider the after-school needs of older school-going children. I have asked the group to report to me before the end of June.
Anybody currently involved with child care facilities, particularly those which are community based, knows that the funding available is simply not adequate in order to facilitate the provision of services. Many not-for-profit community child care facilities throughout the country are in serious financial difficulty and require additional funding. A nod towards the existence of this problem would be the reinstatement of capitation payments to the previous level. In light of the recovery about which we have been hearing every hour of every day in recent months, surely this area is the one in which we should start reinstating what previously obtained. The Minister referred to the need for future investment to be evidence based. There is clear evidence to show that investing money in educating young children gives rise to huge payback. Will the Minister reinstate the capitation rate which obtained in 2011?
I am pleased the Deputy and I agree on one matter, namely, that the ECCE programme offers good value for money and is critically important. I also agree with him that the investment of money, resources and personnel in educating children in the early years brings about the greatest return for such children and for society in general. There is no doubt about that. I further agree with the Deputy that the area to which he refers should be afforded greater priority as more funds become available. I refer here to child care, particularly that which relates to the early years. I am also concerned with supporting parents. If we do not support parents, then we cannot support children.
On funding, I have a budget for the year. Much and all though I might like it to be the case, I do not have additional funds available to allow me to increase the rate of capitation.
I have made it clear on numerous occasions that it is a priority for me.
Will the Minister indicate whether he and the Minister for Finance will set the date by which the capitation rate will be increased in the context of the famous spring statement that is supposed to issue shortly? Anybody involved in this area, particularly at community or not-for-profit level, knows that there is now a serious crisis. Many of these centres are experiencing severe financial difficulties.
I will actually be having that chat with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and look forward to speaking with him as we approach the budget. I know that he is interested in this issue and that he is as concerned as I am about the well-being of children who are our future.
In respect of the scheme, the Deputy must accept that during the worst recession and darkest fiscal fiasco the country had ever endured we maintained the programmes and supported many of these providers through that difficult period. Had the Government not provided that support, many of the providers would not now be in business.
If something is not done soon, they will not be in business much longer.
I did not interrupt the Deputy. The work they do is invaluable and they are trained to a high standard. We want to continue supporting that work. One of the ways we provided support was through putting in place a learner fund to support and fund people in attaining a higher level of training. All of these matters will be considered by the interdepartmental group and the Government will be given a menu of options that will be properly analysed, evidence based and costed.
