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National Childcare Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Ceisteanna (29)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

29. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will expand the national childcare scheme to include children with varying degrees of disadvantage currently outside the definition of extreme vulnerability to ensure that specific, ring-fenced evidence-based supports are provided for in childcare settings to children in disadvantaged communities. [22248/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I thank the Deputy for bringing forward this question as I feel this will be an important element of the ultimate funding model we move towards. I look forward to hearing her input more as that work progresses. The NCS is designed to be highly inclusive and to meet the needs of the most economically vulnerable children and those living with other forms of disadvantage.

It is based on the principle of progressive universalism and has regard to the best interests of children. It specifically targets families with varying degrees of economic disadvantage using information drawn from Revenue and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to calculate the amount of subsidy paid. Children of families with the least income get the highest subsidy.

The NCS is a significant step forward in combating the poverty traps inherent in previous childcare schemes. It removes many of the very restrictive eligibility requirements, which were previously linked to Social Protection payments for example.

Analysis of previous schemes informed its design and helps it incentivise work and training to combat poverty and inter-generational poverty and improve outcomes for children.

There is an important sponsorship arrangement within the NCS which offers additional supports for families with complex and challenging needs that early learning and childcare can help to address.

Where there is a referral from one of several sponsor bodies, the family will automatically qualify for a subsidy for the number of hours considered appropriate by the sponsor, up to 45 hours per week, without having to satisfy the scheme’s eligibility requirements.

In the coming months I hope to see the numbers of children availing of sponsorship increase as awareness rises.

I am working with my officials to identify whether any refinements to the NCS are needed to ensure that it delivers for those most in need.

In addition, work is progressing on a new funding model for the early learning and childcare sector which I hope will enable delivery of additional funding to providers to ensure greater levels of affordability, accessibility, quality and inclusion in their services.

It is my hope that the new funding model will introduce a model that will provide specific and additional support to children living with disadvantage.

Questions Nos. 30 and 31 answered orally.
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