Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the policy to provide more than 6,000 after-school childcare places in primary schools for children of low-income parents who are taking up employment or training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5810/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As part of the package of measures in Budget 2013, I announced, along with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, a joint after-school child care initiative between both of our Departments.

The new scheme will provide approximately 6,000 afterschool childcare places for eligible clients of my Department. It will be targeted to support those who engage in my Department’s activation process and who enter into employment. The places will be limited to low income families with children aged 4 to 12 years in primary school.

This initiative is targeted at families that are most in need at a critical time in their progression into employment. By offsetting some of the childcare costs associated with availing of an employment opportunity, the aim of the scheme is to encourage more individuals to take up employment. This in turn will improve their economic and social well-being.

The new scheme will build on the existing supports provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in the child care sector, including the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) schemes, through which child care is provided at reduced rates. My Department is working closely with officials from Department of Children and Youth Affairs to fully define the scheme. It is intended to launch the scheme on a phased basis – commencing with an initial pilot in the coming months.