Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

6. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the progress of the review of child care support programmes which her Department initiated; and if she will outline the objectives of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14206/14]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister provide an update on the progress of the review of the child-care support programmes which her Department initiated, outline its objectives and make a statement?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I have already outlined in my response to an earlier question, we administer two targeted child-care schemes involving community child care subvention, or CCS, and child care education and training support, or CETS, respectively. In the region of €260 million is spent annually to provide support to those programmes, including €175 million for the free pre-school year. The total number of children benefiting from support under the programme is approximately 100,000, which is very significant. My focus on quality services and the qualifications of staff means the support children get will improve continously. Staff will receive better training, services will receive mentoring and staff will complete their qualifications. It is also the case that there are now more than 2,000 inspection reports online.

I have commenced the review of CCS and CETS as a number of issues have been identified in the schemes, including varying rates for subvention and different eligibility criteria. I have commenced an internal review of these child-care support programmes to consider how best to structure them going forward. They have been in place for a number of years and it is time to review them. I will ensure that the participation of the wider child care sector in the review is considered as the internal review progresses.

I cannot say at present when the review will be finalised. It has just started and its scope is being determined. A review of the schemes should lead to improved targeting to ensure that those individuals who are going back to work obtain more support. I do not expect the review on its own to result in increased capacity as that is an issue of additional resources in the sector to increase the number of child-care places.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. There is a debate at present on the ongoing costs of child care, as there is a debate about the cost of many things. Sustainability remains an issue for child-care providers. Many parents find the costs of child care too high and many providers are finding it difficult to meet overheads. As part of the review which is taking place, will the Minister look at the €62.50 figure and will she consider whether an alternative capitation rate should be implemented to provide a better service for users and providers?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The extremely difficult financial position the Government has had to deal with and control has worked against increased investment. I hope that as public finances recover in the coming years it will be considered important to channel any funding which becomes available to schemes which fulfil the objectives I have outlined and support the parents the Deputy rightly says are concerned about costs.

The Deputy asked about supports for the child care sector. I take the Deputy's point about the need to continually review the current level of subvention and, where possible, to build in more support to providers, because it is clear that the staff providing those services do not earn large salaries and many are on very low wages. Sustainability is an issue. I believe that the sector needs to grow and be supported and that the people working in the sector need to have a career path. This is the reason we are introducing the mentoring schemes. As resources become available it is critical from the point of view of the individual child, but also from an economic and competitive point of view, that we have more affordable and accessible child care, as much for the sake of the country's economic development as for meeting the needs of individual children.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's response. Obviously, as circumstances allow, I presume a review of the rates will be kept in mind as the economy improves.