Childcare Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022

Tuesday, 5 July 2022

Ceisteanna (445)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

445. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the additional funding that will enable displaced persons with residency in the State under the European Union Temporary International Protection Directive to benefit from supports under the national childcare scheme (details supplied) will be paid out of the Covid Contingency Fund; if not, if it will be funded through additional voted expenditure or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35688/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive are not currently eligible for supports under the National Childcare Scheme.   

Their exclusion from the NCS is being rectified by way of an amendment to the Childcare Support Act 2018,  which is being brought as part of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, which is currently before this House., and which I hope can be passed within the next week.  Once this Bill is enacted, beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive will be able to access NCS supports.  Once enacted these families will be able to avail of NCS supports on the same basis as other eligible families. 

The cost of subsidies for beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive will be met from the NCS budget.  The Covid Contingency Fund will not be used for NCS subsidies.

The NCS provides both universal and targeted subsidies to families on a progressive basis, with families with the greatest need receiving the highest subsidies.