Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Community child care providers are receiving €1 million to ensure continuation of services during this period of change. Those payments have started and providers are receiving them to ensure there is no disruption for providers, parents and, perhaps most important of all, children. The money is being targeted at those services that experienced some difficulties in meeting regulatory requirements as a result of recent changes, most notably services that rely on people on community employment schemes to form part of their core staff. The money was given as recognition of the challenges faced during a period of transition, and it is also important to remember why these changes are taking place. If we are to change child care radically in this country, we must not only tackle the affordability issue but also ensure quality. Additionally, we must ensure our children are being cared for in a safe environment with qualified staff. As I stated before, when it comes to our children, there will be no compromise on safety.

Under recent legislation, each employee working directly with children attending a preschool service must now hold at least a major award in early childhood care and education at level 5 or an equivalent qualification. It should be noted the vast majority of services were able to implement the new requirements through their existing structures and supports. The €1 million fund was, however, made available to those which could not. My officials are vigilant to challenges facing the community child care sector and to offer support when required. Further funding will be decided within the context of budget 2018. In the longer term, the independent review of the cost of quality child care, which will be commissioned I hope by mid August, will also include consideration of factors that affect the financial viability of the child care sector.

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