Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will increase the VTOS/Youthreach/STTC/BTEI childcare grant in view of the fact that the maximum grant payable per child under the scheme has not changed since it was introduced in 1998 and the figure that was available nine years ago is now unrealistic in view of the cost of living increases and childcare costs increasing in the intervening periods and that an increase in this grant would help more parents come out of the poverty trap; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22050/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Grants towards the cost of childcare are given to VECs, to be used to assist with the provision of childcare support for learners in the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, Youthreach, Senior Traveller Training Centres and in the Back to Education Initiative. The aim of this support is to attract people whose attendance is currently prevented by childcare responsibilities to enrol on these programmes. This grant provides for: direct provision of crèche facilities in centres, or in rented premises, including staff, equipment/refurbishment, rental, insurance and other overheads; purchase of places on existing community or commercial crèches. This is subject to payment of a maximum of €63.50 per week per child for a full-day session, with pro-rata adjustments for sessions of lesser duration; payment of childminders, subject to a maximum of €63.50 per child per week for a full session, with pro-rata adjustments for part-time sessions. This is subject to (a) registration where required under the Child Care Act, (b) presentation of invoices on headed paper, and (c) a rolling sample check for tax clearance certificates. The scheme does not provide for payment direct to learners. The Department's grant is intended as a contribution to costs. The provision for this grant in 2007 is €6,350,000.