Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1283. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 411 of 13 July 2022, if the projected funding includes children on the ECCE programme; if not, the projected additional costs for the cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44227/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 411 of 13 July 2022, the estimated additional funding required to reduce the costs of childcare for parents in the scenarios outlined are based on the average fee rate per the sector profile report 20/21, which is €186.84, which equates to €4.15 per hour for a 45 hour user.
The average hourly fee rate is applied across all age and education stage cohort to achieve an average reduction based on the usage levels measured to date on the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). This figure includes NCS hours used by children who are also on the ECCE programme.
As with any averaged measure families will receive varying benefits from a subsidy change depending on how their own service changes and how much provision they actually use.
The ECCE hours are entirely distinct from the NCS and are free to parents. As such no additional cost arises from the scenarios presented.
