Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
654. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of the €716 million for ELC next year by programme subhead and the proportion of this expenditure that becomes income for providers. [51075/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2022 I have secured an additional €78m in early learning and care and school age childcare funding, bringing the total investment in the sector to €716m next year. This will allow my Department to bring forward a substantial and comprehensive package of developments to achieve significant progress on its policy priorities of affordable, high quality, inclusive and sustainable ELC and SAC.
The €716 million investment in ELC and SAC includes €69 million for a new Core Funding stream for providers from September 2022 to ensure sustainability of services and support the introduction of an Employment Regulation Order to determine minimum rates of pay for workers as well as conditions of employment. It will also deliver quality measures to support children in services.
In addition some €37m has been earmarked for an EWSS Transition Fund. This will support ELC and SAC services to ensure there are no increases in parental fees for ELC and SAC in the period leading up to the introduction of the new funding stream in September 2022.
Officials within my Department are currently finalising the budget line details in respect of this allocation. Programme subheads within the early learning and care and school age childcare allocation will be finalised in the coming weeks with the publication of the Revised Estimates in early December 2022.
