Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:1962. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount that has been spent on website design and creation for the affordable child care scheme to date in 2017. [28594/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 June 2017
Ceisteanna (1962)
Freagraí scríofa
As I have previously announced, the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) will not be introduced in September 2017, but will be introduced at the earliest possible date.
However, I do not want to delay the benefit of higher childcare subsidies for families. I am pleased to confirm that major improvements in childcare subsidies will therefore come into effect this September, including increases of up to 50% in targeted childcare subsidy rates and a new universal childcare subsidy for children aged between 6 months and 36 months. September’s changes will be delivered through existing childcare schemes, pending the introduction of the ACS.
In order to raise awareness among both childcare providers and parents, I promised a comprehensive public information campaign before the end of May. I am delighted to report that each childcare provider in the country received an information pack on the changes to the schemes I have just outlined. In addition City/County Childcare Committees have been briefed in order to offer local support to childcare providers and officials from the DCYA have commenced a series of information events throughout the country.
A website (www.affordablechildcare.ie) was also developed, which aims to present clear and accessible information for parents and providers regarding the measures commencing this September to make childcare more affordable. Since its launch to the public on the 30 May, the website has received over one hundred thousand page views from more than thirty thousand individuals. The total cost for designing and developing the website was €6,360. We expect to utilise the website as a vehicle for information regarding these measures up until the introduction of the ACS.