Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A total of 26,800 places are currently being subsidised under the community child care subvention scheme, or CCS. That is up from around 25,000 last year, in spite of the fact that the scheme overspent by €4.8 million in 2012. More children are being subsidised at the lower rate of €50 per week, instead of the €95 rate, because their parents are in low-income employment. In addition, more children are attending on a part-time basis, which halves the cost per child. That is a choice that parents are making if they are not working now or are working part time and their hours are reduced. The 26,800 places equate to 10,000 full-time equivalent places. I will ask Ms O'Mara to make some further comments on the schemes and on the disability question.