Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
719. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to ensure that early child care providers offer the Government's more affordable childcare scheme to parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32948/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 11th April, I made an announcement about a range of measures that will be introduced by my Department to make childcare more affordable for thousands of families throughout Ireland. This honours a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
These measures are being put in place to ensure that parents of up to 70,000 children due to benefit under the Affordable Childcare Scheme will be given the opportunity to avail of increased childcare subsidies from September. This will be achieved by significantly increasing the subsidy rates for the Community Childcare Subvention and the Training and Employment Childcare Schemes, in some instance by as much as 50%. There will also be a new universal, non-means tested childcare subsidy that will benefit parents with children aged from 6 months until they are eligible for ECCE.
While it is ultimately a matter for each individual service provider to make a decision on whether or not to enter into any contract, my Department has undertaken a coordinated online and postal information campaign targeting both childcare providers and parents with key information about the measures. My Department, along with Pobal and the City/County Childcare Committees also conducted public information “roadshows” to build awareness and encourage providers to sign up to the September measures.
In addition, I have recently announced a payment for non-contact time to services who sign up to the September measures. The payment to providers is intended to make a contribution towards the administration and non-contact costs involved in providing my Department’s childcare programmes. In particular, the new funding recognises the time providers need to spend familiarising themselves with the new affordable childcare measures, including, signing contracts, meeting regulatory and compliance requirements and assisting parents with understanding how they can most benefit from the various childcare programmes available
The measure provides for a payment equivalent to an additional seven days’ funding for services. €3.5m has been allocated for this purpose.
I am very aware that delivering these enhanced childcare supports is only possible because of the commitment and co-operation of more than 4,000 childcare providers throughout the country. I want to acknowledge their continuing support in this regard.
