Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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28. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the IT portal that will be used to receive applications for the affordable child care scheme due to be introduced in September 2017 will be ready to both receive applications and calculate the level of support to be given for each child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15137/17]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the information technology system for administering the single affordable child care scheme; if it will be available for September 2017; and if not, the alternative arrangements that she will put in place. [15221/17]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I probably do not need to introduce the question as it is similar to the priority question asked by Deputy Rabbitte in respect of the IT portal for the new scheme to be introduced in September. As we know that it will not be fully ready, perhaps we can concentrate on what can be done for providers and parents in terms of setting up a system that will be clear and available in time, so there will not be confusion when the time comes.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 65 together.

The policy paper for the introduction of the affordable child care scheme was approved by Government in October 2016. Since then, officials of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Pobal have been working intensively to plan for the implementation of this scheme. This is an extremely complex and ambitious project because of what is involved, namely, legislation, new business processes, data protection and building a new IT system. We will need to integrate data from the Department of Social Protection and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners so that the system can calculate every family’s net income and affordable child care scheme subsidy. We will need to test the IT system rigorously to make sure it works, even in complicated family circumstances. As a result of this, the fully automated system that delivers everything will not be in place initially. However, we are working intensively to ensure that a satisfactory interim measure is in place and that the fully automated system for the affordable child care scheme is introduced at the earliest possible time.

I recognise that parents and providers urgently need detailed information about the way in which the scheme will be delivered. I can assure the Deputy that I and my officials are fully committed to delivering on the objectives of the scheme, and we are determined to minimise any administrative burden or inconvenience. In the next few weeks I will provide a detailed update on delivery plans. Full information on implementation plans will then be made available to parents and child care providers, and change management supports will be provided to all participating child care services.

I emphasise that I want us to get the IT systems right from the very beginning. I would prefer to hold back on a fully automated system initially if it means that we avoid the costly and frustrating problems that other major new services have experienced elsewhere in recent times.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I acknowledge the complexity and the difficulty of getting it done within the timeframe. That is why I would like to concentrate on getting as much information as possible out to providers and parents as soon as possible. I welcome the fact that the Minister has said she will update us and others whenever there is information, and I ask her to do so.

One of my concerns, and I have heard this from some providers, is that they may not participate in the scheme if they feel it is going to cause them a huge amount of extra administrative work. I do not think any of us would like to see that happen. We want to ensure they are given whatever support they need to roll out the scheme, given some are saying it is easier for them to just put up their prices rather than participate in the scheme. That would obviously have a serious effect on parents and children, which is why we need to ensure information is available as quickly as possible and that it is as clear as possible in terms of how it will be implemented.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I share the concerns Deputy Jan O'Sullivan has identified. First, we are conscious of the need to have the lowest administrative burden possible and to have a system that is not too complex and which they can get used to before moving on to the next thing. That is why, in the Department, we have had plans A, B, C and D and we have gone through a number of options to try to identify what is best, so long as this is going to be an interim measure. We are almost there, as the Deputy will be aware in light of her previous roles. There are still some finishing touches to be made in regard to what we think will work, and a couple of colleagues in other Departments are asking further questions to ensure we have thought of everything. That is almost concluded.

Second, as we were working through these options, I said that what we need to do is to absolutely make sure the option we choose is the one we can communicate best. We got somebody in specifically to work up a communications and information plan in the last week in regard to finalising the set of measures in a way that we hope will impose the least burden.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Although the Minister has answered this question already, I ask her for further clarification regarding the interim reports on the commission of investigation on the mother and baby homes, taking into account that I am from east Galway and Tuam is in my constituency. Many people down there are waiting for the interim report.

Excuse me. Did I skip Deputy Ó Laoghaire?

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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We are actually dealing with the next question.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We are dealing with Questions Nos. 28 and 65.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I am sorry. I did not realise we had moved on to a different topic.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Does Deputy O'Sullivan have any further questions?

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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No, I think we have got as much clarity as possible.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We move on to what will be the final question. Perhaps we can go straight to the answer and Deputy Ó Laoghaire will have an opportunity to ask one supplementary question.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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That is fine.