Written answers

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Child Care Services

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for developing childcare; if she will recommend a proposed model of childcare; if she has examined the model of childcare used in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45220/12]

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

The Government currently supports the provision of early childhood care and education through three support programmes - the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme.

There are currently no proposals to reform these schemes or childcare provision generally. However, given the evidence that shows the importance to children's development of quality experiences in their earliest years, possible developments relating to early years care and education are being considered as part of the preparation of the new National Early Years Strategy 2012. This new Strategy will cover a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life and will seek to identify best practice in other jurisdictions that might be suitable to be applied here. My Department and the Department of Education and Skills are involved in a number of international groups on Early Years and have access to the most up to date information on developments in other jurisdictions to help inform decisions.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.