Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2023
104. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans for future investment in the early years sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6011/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst 5 was launched in 2018 with an ambitious investment target of at least doubling expenditure in the sector by 2028 to approximately €1 billion. A new funding model was identified as the key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State. Further to the Budget 2023 commitment to spend over €1 billion on early learning and childcare, the ambitious First 5 target will now be reached in 2023, five years ahead of schedule. This significant investment will be delivered through Together for Better, the new funding model which is now in place.
This €1.025 billion investment includes €259 million for the first full programme year of the new Core Funding scheme, which runs from September 2022 to August 2023, with an additional €28 million for year 2 of Core Funding, starting in September 2023.
Exceeding the investment target of €1 billion five years ahead of schedule is a clear demonstration of the value Government places on early learning and childcare, given the benefits it confers to children and their families, society and the economy. A revised investment target will be considered in the context of the second implementation plan for First 5, to be finalised in 2023.
First 5 focuses on the period of early childhood, from the antenatal period to age five, and takes a joined-up, cross-government approach to supporting babies, young children and their families during these critical early years.
This ambitious plan sets out our priorities in the following key areas:
- a broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring
- a new model of parenting support
- new developments in child health, including a dedicated child health workforce
- reform of the Early Learning and Care system, including a new funding model
- a package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty
A number of actions have been completed to achieve our vision to support babies, young children and their families in their early years.
In line with a commitment in First 5, and informed by recommendations in the report Partnership for the Public Good on a new funding model for early learning and care and school-age childcare, officials in my Department are currently developing a tailored policy response in order to progress the development of a new strand of funding - Tackling Disadvantage: the Equal Participation Model.
Through this work, services will be provided with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage. The consultation and engagement phase is underway to inform and shape this work, following on from a detailed scoping phase.
A pilot of the provision of hot meals to children in early learning and care settings has begun as one potential support.
In September, I announced the Building Blocks – Improvement Grant, a €9 million Capital Grant for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector. Services that signed up for the Core Funding Scheme are eligible for funding under for this grant. The closing date for this scheme was 16 December last and applicants will be advised of the outcome in March of this year.
The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the National Development Plan. It is designed to meet current and long-term Early Learning and Childcare infrastructure needs – with details of a €45 million Building Blocks - Capacity Grant and a €15 million Building Blocks - Innovation Grant to be announced in the coming months. Consideration may be given to the provision of capital funding for the establishment of new services under the Capacity Grant.
