Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
969. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is guidance regarding the number of weeks a provider under the national childcare scheme must be open during a given year; if it is regular practice for providers under the scheme to close for a number of weeks during the summer period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35617/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, it is important to note that early learning and childcare services are private businesses who set their own policies on matters such as how many hours they operate per week, as well as how many weeks per year that they are open. As such, the decision whether or not to operate outside of term (i.e. during the summer holidays) lies with the service provider.
My Department is aware that many services make the decision to close during the summer months. Currently, there are 3,580 service providers across the State who are contracted to deliver the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). Of those, at least 58% have submitted claims for the month of July and therefore can be considered open.
The Scheme has been designed to be flexible and reflect the realities of family life. The NCS pays subsidies based on the hours of care agreed between a service provider and the parent, up to the maximum hours awarded to a parent. Where it is convenient to parents, they may use their subsidised hours in more than one childcare service across the year. For example, a child may attend one crèche during term time, and if it closes during the summer holidays, they may choose to seek an alternative crèche out of term time.
Finally, parents who require general support, or assistance in seeking an alternative childcare provider, may wish to get in touch with their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC). Contact details for the CCCs can be found on www.myccc.ie. A childcare search facility is also available on the NCS website, which will display a full list of NCS contracted providers. This may be accessed at: www.ncs.gov.ie/en/childcare-search/
