Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 148: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 12 May 2010, if she is now in a position to furnish a reply. [28636/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January of this year and which provides a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. I also have responsibility for implementing the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which provides funding to community services to enable them to charge reduced fees to disadvantaged and low income working parents.

Services participating in the ECCE scheme receive an annual capitation fee from my Office for each eligible child attending. Services participating in the CCSS receive annual funding in respect of each childcare place availed of by parents who qualify for a subvention payment. Eligibility for the ECCE scheme is determined by reference to the age of the pre-school child. Parents qualify for subvention if they are in receipt of social welfare payments, Family Income Support or would qualify for a medical or GP visit card.

A number of other schemes are operated by other Government departments and State agencies. Where possible, these are being co-ordinated into a single approach under my Office. A recent example of this is the announcement of the new Childcare Employment and Training Scheme (CETS) which will be introduced in September of this year and which will replace the childcare support schemes currently implemented by FAS and the Vocational Education Committees, with a new enhanced provision for qualifying students and trainees.

I am aware that the Health Service Executive (HSE) also funds a number of childcare services which have a particular focus on disadvantage including, in many cases, services which receive a significant number of children referred by the HSE. An official from my Office met recently with the HSE to discuss ways in which to improve co-ordination of funding for the sector. I understand that the service referred to by the Deputy was advised by the HSE earlier this year that it would be reducing its funding this year, due to the introduction of the ECCE scheme, but that this is being reviewed.