Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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35. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views that the provision of child care under the early childhood care and education scheme should be sustainable for providers; her further views that the second year of the scheme would be sustainable under the current payment scheme for providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15509/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education scheme is funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Issues relating to the operation or potential extension of the scheme are therefore a matter in the first instance, for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

My Department is represented on the interdepartmental working group on Future Investment in Early Years and School Age Care and Education Services that was recently established by Minister Reilly. The purpose of this group is to identify and assess policies and future options for increasing the quality, accessibility (including supply) and affordability of early years and school age (out of school) care and education services. It is expected that this working group will report in the summer.