Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
802. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the funding being allocated to the childcare sustainability fund; and the breakdown of the spend for the new sustainability fund announced 24 July 2020. [21192/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Sustainability Support grant will be available to early learning and childcare services where there is a demonstrated decline in occupancy and/or a verified increase in costs due to COVID-19 that is not addressed by the significant financial measures provided to the sector under the July stimulus package and previous initiatives.
€2 million has been allocated for the scheme. This is in addition to resumed funding for all DCYA childcare schemes. It is also in addition to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme which funds an average of 38% of providers' costs; the Capital Grant Scheme; and the Reopening Support Grant. Collectively from July through to the end of the year, these measures will amount to €375m in Government funding.
In the next few weeks, further details on eligibility for the Sustainability Scheme will be made available. Updates on take-up of the scheme and the breakdown of spend will be provided as the scheme proceeds over the following months.
As the detail of the scheme is being finalised, my officials and I continue to meet regularly with representatives of the sector. These meetings are used to keep the sector and the Department updated on progress across a number of initiatives and to enable the sector's feedback inform future developments.
