Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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377. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of child care places provided under community employment schemes; the way this has varied over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32685/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Community Employment (CE) programme is a valuable resource in the provision of a range of services to communities, including childcare services. To support the delivery of these essential services, the ring-fencing and prioritisation of places for childcare was introduced on CE in 2002. Total CE expenditure on childcare amounted to €24.8m in 2013. In order to support the delivery of community childcare services, places on CE are dedicated to childcare. These places support community and voluntary organisations in the provision of childcare services. In 2012, there were 1,696 childcare places taken up on CE and over the intervening period, this increased to 2,007 as of June of this year.

The Department introduced a new CE Childcare Strand at the beginning of 2013 under which there is a dedicated childcare educational programme at FETAC Level 5 for CE participants who work directly with children. This programme has led to the re-structuring of CE childcare provision and it will improve the career path for participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. These improvements provide a more tailored and valuable support to the provision of community childcare. The FETAC Major 5 Award is the entry level requirement to work as a basic practitioner in childcare.

The take-up of CE childcare places has become more challenging due to the impact of the removal of the dual payment for one parent families and persons with disabilities introduced in January, 2012. However, every effort is being made by the Department to encourage take-up of these places.