Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020
141. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the take-up in the national childcare scheme; his plans to increase and enhance support to families in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40649/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme opened in November 2019. It represents the first statutory entitlement to financial support for childcare costs in Ireland.
The Scheme aims to improve children’s outcomes, support lifelong learning, make work pay and reduce child poverty. It is also designed to have a positive impact on gender equality in relation to labour market participation and employment opportunities.
Over 83,400 applications have been received for the Scheme, and over 74,700 subsidy awards have issued.
Of these, 35,232 awards had a claim made against them in the week ending 27th November.
As the Deputy is aware, the COVID-19 emergency necessitated the closure of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Services earlier this year. There was also a reduced usage of childcare services over the summer months, and childcare requirements continue to vary as parents’ circumstances have been impacted by the pandemic.
The National Childcare Scheme has been designed to be flexible, with income thresholds, maximum hours and subsidy rates which can be adjusted in line with Government decisions and as more investment becomes available. As such, any adjustments deemed necessary by Government can be carried out in a quick and responsive manner.
In addition, the new funding model for early learning and care and school age childcare aims to improve quality of provision for children and contribute to addressing disadvantage without compromising sustainability for providers or affordability for parents.
An essential and top priority for the Expert Group established to develop the new funding model is addressing the cost of early learning and care and school-age childcare for parents and making recommendations for a mechanism to control fee rates.
Research papers on this topic, along with other relevant documents of the Expert Group, are available at: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie.
