Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2017
261. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress which has been made in conducting an independent review on the cost of providing quality child care in private and community settings consistent with the principles of ongoing professionalisation of the sector; the factors which will be considered in the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24872/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the importance of financial sustainability for the provision of quality childcare, the Irish Programme for Government commits to conducting and publishing an independent review of the cost of providing quality childcare in Ireland. This commitment aligns closely with work on the design and development of the Affordable Childcare Scheme and is currently being progressed in that context. Work on preparing a Request for Tenders (RFT) for this 'Independent Review of Cost' is currently underway and it is envisaged that this RFT will be published in the coming months.
The Independent Review on the Cost of Providing Quality Childcare will, among other things, examine the link between wages, the quality of provision, and public funding. Its conclusion will be of great assistance to my Department as we consider the policy tools available to us to address the issues of wages and working conditions.
Issues that the review may consider include (1) the total average cost of quality childcare provision, (2) variation in cost and the reasons for same, (3) the link between cost and quality, (4) the cost of providing childcare services in disadvantaged communities and (5) the likely impact of future cost pressures, including the ongoing professionalisation of the sector.
€19m extra for families from September to the end of the year is a good start. But more must be done if we are truly to have affordable accessible quality childcare.In the negotiations for Budget 2018 I will be asking for extra funding so we can address some of the issues raised by childcare practitioners. It is clear more funding is needed so we can continue our radical new approach that improves both affordability and quality simultaneously.
