Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick regarding a reduced rate of capitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39912/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides free preschool care and education to children before commencing primary school. The programme is designed to be delivered for three hours per day, five days per week, over 38 weeks (183 days per year), and capitation fees are paid to participating services on the basis of this provision. A standard capitation fee of €62.50 per week per eligible child is paid to participating child care services with a higher capitation fee of €73 per week paid to services with more highly qualified staff.

In participating services, preschool leaders are currently required to have a minimum of a Major Award at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) (or equivalent) to qualify for the standard capitation rate and a Major Award at Level 7 on the NQF (or equivalent) and 3 years experience working in the sector to qualify for the higher capitation rate. It is stressed that the higher qualified staff attracting the higher capitation rate must work directly with the children at all times during the ECCE sessions.

My Department published a list of Early Years Recognised Qualifications earlier this year following a review of the qualification certification submitted in relation to staff working in early years services that are on contract to deliver the ECCE programme. The service in question was in receipt of the higher capitation rate in the school year 2014/2015 based on a specific qualification and this service continues to receive the higher capitation rate in the current school year. However, the qualification that this service provider submitted is not on the published list of awards that merit the higher capitation.

The application of the service provider referred to by Deputy is being given further consideration and a letter confirming the outcome will issue to the provider in due course.