Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2022
89. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the ECCE funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56976/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ECCE programme is delivered over 3 hours per day, 15 hours per week and 38 weeks of the year. There is no charge to parents for the ECCE programme. ECCE capitation of €69 is paid to providers in respect of each eligible child enrolled. There is no plan to increase the ECCE capitation rate as the introduction of Core Funding offers enhancements to ECCE funding.
In 2010, when the ECCE Programme was first introduced, the standard capitation was €64.50, the higher capitation rate (for services with graduate room leaders) was €75 and the adult child ratio was 1:10.
In 2012, as part of austerity measures, the standard capitation was reduced to €62.50 and the higher capitation rate was reduced to €73. To offset this, the adult child ratio increased from 1:10 to 1:11.
In 2016, ECCE capitation was restored to €64.50 (standard capitation) and €75 (higher capitation) though the increased ratio remained in place.
In 2017, a non-contact time payment – later known as Programme Support Payment (PSP) – was introduced. This provided additional funding to ECCE providers equivalent to 7 additional days at standard capitation rates
In 2018, ECCE capitation was increased by 7% to €69.00 (standard capitation) and €80.25 (higher capitation) and in 2021, the PSP was increased an equivalent of 8 additional days at standard capitation rates
Since September 2022, Core Funding is operating alongside the ECCE programme (at standard capitation rates) and incorporates funding traditionally provided under PSP and higher capitation. Overall, for every 11 children to one adult, this equates to an increase in the maximum income since the introduction of the ECCE programme of 34% (where standard capitation applies) and 24% (where higher capitation traditional applied)
This excludes funding under the Access and Inclusion Model attached to the ECCE programme. Under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) a fully qualified Inclusion Coordinator (InCo) in an ECCE service, receives an increase in the rate of capitation payable to the service of €2 (pro-rata), per ECCE registered child, per week over 38 weeks.
Additional capitation is also paid to ECCE providers under AIM Level 7 to support inclusion of children by reducing the adult-child ratio within the ECCE room.
