Written answers

Thursday, 4 July 2013

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Child Care Services Funding

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her view of the economic importance of investment in early intervention, in particular in the early years; and if she will provide an update on capital funding available to child care providers in 2013. [32592/13]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government commits to developing early childhood care and education as resources allow, and the Government has made a very significant commitment to maintaining the childcare support programmes implemented by my Department - the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme and the new After-school Childcare programme which is being fully rolled out in September 2013.

In 2013 the total expenditure by my Department on the childcare support programmes is expected to be in the region of €260 million. I believe that the investment made in childcare supports is an investment in our country’s future prosperity. I have provided sufficient funding to ensure that the programmes can been maintained despite the ongoing need to reduce Government expenditure.

It is recognised that intensive and targeted early childhood services have the potential to significantly enhance the life chances of many children. There is significant international evidence of the benefits for children's outcomes of the provision of quality education and childcare in the earliest years. Investment in early childhood care and education benefits not only the individual child but also the future development of the wider economy. I am also aware of the important economic contribution that childcare services provide through direct employment of staff in service delivery and through support for labour participation on the part of working parents.

The Early Years Strategy, which is currently being developed by my Department, will be Ireland's first ever national strategy for early years. It is expected that it will cover a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life such as health, including physical and mental development, vaccination programmes and population health issues such as nutrition and exercise, as well as parenting and family support, learning and development, play and recreation and early childhood care and education. The Strategy will further recognise the economic imperative and benefits accruing from targeted investment in early years interventions.

I was successful in securing €2.75m in capital funding in Budget 2013 to support the ongoing improvement of the childcare sector via the 2013 Childcare Capital Programme. This programme is being implemented by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Both community not-for-profit childcare facilities and private childcare facilities currently participating in one of the three childcare programmes implemented by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs were eligible to apply for a grant under the Programme. The application process for funding under the programme has now been concluded and applicants will be advised of the outcome in the very near future.

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