Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
761. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is considering measures to increase the availability of childcare for school aged children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13081/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business allows for the phased reopening of both Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services from 29 June.
My Department continues to invest significant resources in the childcare sector generally. Over the last five Budgets investment in childcare has increased by 141%, which reflects the emphasis being placed on improving access to affordable, high quality services. A significant funding package is now available to support services, including school-age services, with reopening following Covid-19-related closures. The funding is expected to support the retention of capacity in the sector.
Under the National Childcare Scheme which opened for online applications on 20th November 2019, school-age childcare services who are registered with Tusla are able to avail of subsidies under the new scheme. The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018 came into force on 18th February, 2019, enabling school-age childcare services to register with Tusla and participate in the National Childcare Scheme.
The number of early learning and care and school-age childcare places in Ireland has doubled over the last 5 years, assisted by an annual programme of capital grants. In 2019, grants of up to €20,000 were available to school age childcare providers for the creation of new school age places where demand for these was clearly evidenced. In 2020 school-age services are able to avail of capital and reopening grants to support their reopening.
My Department also works in collaboration with the Department of Education and Skills to support access to school-age childcare places in the context of the inter-departmental Action Plan on School-Age Childcare. The Department of Education and Skills has published guidelines to assist school authorities on how their premises might be utilised for school-age childcare and other activities where it can be facilitated by the school patron/trustees.
