Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1430. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to provide funding for the construction or assistance of new community creches for the Clonskeagh area, in view of the changing demographics and the current pressure on child care services in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the expansion of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme announced in Budget 2016, and to support the development of capacity in the sector, my Department initiated a number of actions: my Department made detailed information available to the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) at the beginning of 2016 indicating the number of children, by every electoral division across the country, who would be eligible for an ECCE place in September 2016, January 2017 and April 2017. My Department continues to work closely with the CCCs to match this data against reported capacity in the sector to meet the increase in demand. My Department is also working with the CCCs on the development of action plans for areas where a shortfall in supply may be identified.
In relation to the Clonskeagh area specifically, I understand that there are three Private creches and no Community creches currently in operation in the area. I can confirm that my Department has not received any reports that these creche services are insufficient to meet current requirements in the Clonskeagh area. Officials from my department also contacted Pobal and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Childcare Committee and they confirmed that they are not aware of any particular demographic issues within the Clonskeagh area. However, if the Deputy has information which suggests that this is not the case perhaps this could be provided and my Department will consider the matter further.
It should also be noted that although there is no community services in the area, private childcare providers can avail of the Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) programme and therefore provide parents and children with access to subsidised childcare.
In addition I recently announced a separate €3 million in capital funding for services providing school age childcare. This capital scheme will encourage expansion in the number of school age childcare places along with enhancements to quality. The application process opened on the 7th of April and will close at 3pm on Friday the 5th of May.
