Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2023
137. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of registered preschool providers in the country; the number of these that provide the EECE programme only; the number of children attending these EECE only providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3570/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 4,587 providers providing Early Learning and Care (ELC) and/or School Aged Childcare (SAC) that have signed an ELC/SAC funding agreement with my Department. Of these 494 offer SAC only, with the remaining 4,093 providing ELC only or ELC and SAC.
1,048 of the 4,093 services providing ELC have signed an ECCE funding agreement only i.e. they have neither signed a National Childcare Scheme (NCS) nor a Community Childcare Saver programme (CCSP) funding agreement. Some of these services may offer childcare outside of ECCE in a private capacity not funded by my Department.
The number of children attending services that have signed an ECCE funding agreement and not an NCS or a CCSP funding agreement is 22,720.
