Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Deputy Ó Laoghaire asked about pay, particularly in respect of the ECCE programme, and how the Department is responding in terms of capitation rates and so on. We are aware this is a huge issue. As the Deputy may know, I launched a report, Breaking Point, this week, which highlighted the particular problem in the context of community services and children who are disadvantaged. Our eyes are absolutely focused on this issue and on trying to find the most effective way to ensure there is additional support to safeguard the sustainability of the sector. That translates to better pay and conditions for staff, which, ultimately, is the only way we can ensure our children receive the quality care they deserve. We are aware of all that and are looking at the most effective ways to address the issue of capitation rates. There has been an increase in the higher capitation rate, which Ms McNally might like to explain presently. We are trying to determine the most efficient way to begin to address that concern. I am hoping we can do it somehow, depending on the Estimates.

The Deputy also asked about the eligibility period of nine to 36 months and whether we should offer support sooner than that. As he knows, there is a maternity leave allocation for new mothers and we have just implemented the provision of two weeks of paternity leave. Our medium to long-term aim is that supports will be in place for parents in terms of leave up to the nine months mark. That is not happening yet but is part of the rationale for making this particular public support available for parents of children aged from nine to 36 months.

Several members asked about the access and inclusion model scheme. I agree we need to research its effectiveness.

Obviously, it has only just begun. Certainly, I am sure we intend to do that. Above all, we are aware that different levels of support and a high level of investment are part of this intensive model for including children with disabilities. We expect and hope that, ultimately, over a period of two to three years, there will be a cultural change. We expect this will be inclusive of investing in the workforce as well as particular supports for children at every level to ensure that we can put our supports for children with disability in the mainstream of the early childhood care and education scheme. It is available from 1 September. The issue around not spending as much is going to change now and spending will increase. Since children started enrolling, they have become eligible for the ECCE scheme and they are immediately eligible for AIM. I will answer a number of questions about the ECCE scheme raised by Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. The provider should contact the local county child care committee or the Better Start team in Pobal. The details are on the Department's website.

We believe the model is going really well. As I have already indicated, it was rolled out on schedule. There has been an extraordinary take-up of and interest in the different supports being provided as a result of the model, whether they relate to upskilling of the workforce or the link programme. Again, 900 people are enrolled to begin the training. They have to do the training and then come back to the service subsequently. That is why it will take some time for its effectiveness and for the cultural change to materialise.

At a higher level support is part of the model. Effectively we are providing support for what we call an additional pair of hands, for example, for a severely disabled child who has been identified for support. It is important to point out that we are trying to provide some additional moneys to be paid for someone to work 15 hours per week in order that the preschool leader can be freed up to work with the child. The aim is to ensure specialised support and experience comes from the leader at another level. The support involves a mentor going into the service and working on the spot with questions, problems or issues they may have with some of our children. We have had 800 applications for people to come in to help with the services. A total of 506 site visits have taken place. I am trying to give a little detail on the model because there have been some questions about it. In any event, I am of the view that it has been well thought out and designed. It is on target and is being delivered. We have moneys to continue a full year roll-out.

A question was asked on the over-profile of the B5 subhead. Ms McNally will address that question.