Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The information I am receiving from the Department is that the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, FECP, is seeking an increase in capitation for the ECCE programmes to €76 per child per week. The argument is that capitation has not increased in line with inflation. Data from the FECP show that capitation rates from 2010 of €64.50 per child, adjusted in line with inflation capitation rate would be €76. With core funding, however, the weekly capitation for a child would be at least €78.75 per week. That may not apply to ECCE-only services in terms of the core funding model. Because of the nature of ECCE, which is 15 hours per week over 38 weeks of the year, it is equivalent to 23% of the annual hours of a full day service operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. We will engage with the Minister on the points the Deputy has raised.

See this speech in context