Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

359. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs regarding child care costs, his plans to provide any or extra financial relief to families, who pay extortionate amounts for their child care every month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7845/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the region of €260 million is provided annually by my Department to support a number of child care programmes which assist parents in accessing quality and affordable child care. More than 100,000 children benefit from this investment each year. These programmes are in addition to the support provided to all parents in the form of Child Benefit.

Increased capitation and subvention payments under the child care support programmes could reduce the cost to parents, and support child care services to meet the overall costs of child care provision. I have indicated that if resources become available, I will review the scope for increasing the level of payments.

I will be looking at the question of appropriate supports for child care in a wider context. It is crucial that we develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in child care services. To ensure that all the benefits of our full range of child care investments are fully realised, future public investment in child care must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. I have established an Inter-departmental Group to look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group as well as to consider the after-school needs of older school-going children. I have asked the Group to report to me by the Summer.