Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2017
491. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the supports available in terms of child care in circumstances in which a child is three years of age but not yet able to enter the ECCE scheme; the action she plans to take to ensure adequate supports are provided to families in this position until their child can enter the ECCE scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40663/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe childcare supports available to parents from my Department vary depending on individual circumstance and need. There are a number of programmes available to families with children outside of the ECCE age eligibility range.
These include the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and CCS Plus programmes which provide childcare funding support targeting low income families in community and private childcare services. The CCS Plus programme also includes a universal subsidy (CCSU) available to all families with children not yet eligible for the ECCE scheme and not eligible for the subventions targeted at lower income families. I introduced the universal subsidy for that specific cohort of families which are pre-ECCE as part of a series of measures towards more affordable childcare.
Also of note are the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) programmes which provide childcare funding support for parents participating in eligible ETB/Solas vocational training courses, Community Employment (CE) programmes or returning to employment.
Further information, concerning childcare supports which are currently available, can be found on www.affordablechildcare.ie. This website also contains details of the local City/County Childcare Committees to deal with the queries of individual parents and help them identify their eligibility for the available childcare subsidises.
