Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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522. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the capitation fee awarded to participating services in the early childhood capitation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46618/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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At present, capitation payments are provided to childcare providers participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and covers children who have reached the age of 3 years and 2 months by 1 September of the relevant year. A standard capitation fee of €62.50 per week per eligible child is paid to participating childcare services, with a higher capitation fee of €73 per week paid to services with more highly qualified staff.

From September 2016, I am expanding the ECCE programme to allow children to access free pre-school from the time they are 3 years of age until they start primary school. There will be three intakes of eligible children during the pre-school year: children who reach the age of 3 between April and August can access the programme from September; children who reach the age of 3 between September and December can access the programme from January; and children who reach the age of 3 between January and March can access the programme from April.

In the region of €172 million is provided annually to support the ECCE programme and the cost of the extended provision is estimated to be an additional €47 million in 2016. This includes the cost of restoring capitation rates to providers to pre-2012 levels from September 2016. From that date the standard capitation rate of €64.50 and higher capitation rate of €75 per week will apply.