Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2020
152. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to take into account both the immediate needs of the childcare sector and the long-term sustainability of the sector when drawing up the July 2020 stimulus programme; his plans for the long-term viability of the sector; the position regarding the ambitions of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16415/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 10 June 2020, my Department announced a major funding package to facilitate the reopening of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services over the summer months. In accordance with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, and guided by the expert advice of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC), ELC and SAC services resumed from 29 June. I am pleased that Government committed a €75m package of funding for reopening services over the summer months. This substantial investment recognises the important role that the ELC and SAC sector plays in the societal and economic infrastructure of the country.
A key policy priority for my Department is the sustainability of the ELC and SAC sector and hence it has and continues to work intensively to support services to reopen after COVID-19. The initial reopening funding package aimed to support providers in the initial phase of reopening (from 29 June to 23 August), staff to remain in the sector, parents to resume work, and children to benefit from quality ELC and SAC.
I am now working intensively on a funding package to support the sector for the period beyond 24 August and for the remainder of the year. My officials are working closely with eight representatives of the sector through the Advisory Group on Reopening to develop an effective and efficient support package, which will be communicated as early as possible.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is not responsible for the July Stimulus but is working with other Government parties in its regard. Having an accessible and affordable ELC and SAC sector is recognised as vital in reopening the economy. My Department is represented on the Senior Officials Group on Economic Recovery and my Officials liaise with counterparts across Departments and Agencies on matters of concern for the sector and economy. I will continue to work with Government colleagues, and the ELC and SAC sector, to ensure that the sector supports parents and children effectively and contributes to the Government's goal of stimulating the economy and enabling the return to work.
It should be noted that a number of supports were available before the COVID-19 pandemic to improve the sustainability of services during normal times, and these remain available now. The Department oversees a Case Management process through which local County Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to ELC and SAC services. Services facing sustainability concerns should contact their local County Childcare Committee in the first instance.
Regarding longer-term funding and sustainability, the Programme for Government contains a number of commitments in relation to childcare. It endorses First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families which commits to at least doubling investment in ELC and SAC by 2028. Given this increased public investment, it is important to ensure that funding delivers for all stakeholders, including the State, providers, the workforce, parents, and children.
In September 2019, an Expert Group was established to review the current funding model and make recommendations for a new funding model that will maximise the value of additional public investment in order to deliver accessible, affordable and high-quality ELC and SAC. The Expert Group is due to submit these recommendations by November 2021. Further information on the Group and its work is available at https://first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/.
The Programme for Government reaffirms the importance of reforming the ELC and SAC sector and this is a priority for me over the coming year.
