Dr. Anne-Marie Brooks:

Regarding the ECCE programme, we have a set capitation rate, which the Senator is aware is €69 per child. That is for three hours per day, five days per week, 38 weeks of the year. That capitation is for the delivery of the ECCE programme. Services that deliver the ECCE programme can attract more funding in addition to that €69 capitation.

Regarding the national childcare scheme, we provide subsidies, both targeted and universal, through the national childcare scheme to parents, which are offset against the fees that services themselves charge. The service itself sets its fee, prior to the fee freeze that was in place, for the cost of that place.