Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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931. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her position with regard to communities where there is inadequate provision of child care facilities, which restricts families in making use of the early childhood care and education year; if there is any responsibility for Tusla, local authorities or any other statutory bodies to ensure such child care facilities are available, or any other manner in which the early childhood care and education year can be accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13245/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Approximately 96% of pre-school children have accessed the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme over the last number of years demonstrating good supply across the country. ECCE can be delivered through formal childcare settings, but also in some instances, by registered childminders. In Budget 2016, my Department announced a significant expansion to pre-school provision under the ECCE programme. This expansion will see the number of children benefitting from the Programme rise from around 67,000 to around 127,000 in a given programme year.

My Department funds 30 City and County Childcare Committees (CCC) around the country. The CCC staff support parents to access appropriate childcare and they also support providers to deliver and develop their service. Pobal also assists my Department and the CCCs to identify any issues with supply and demand.

In response to the expansion of ECCE announced in Budget 2016, and to support the development of capacity in the sector, my Department has initiated a number of actions. The Department made detailed information available to the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) at the beginning of this year indicating the number of children, by every electoral division across the country, who would be eligible for an ECCE place in September 2016, January 2017 and April 2017. My Department continues to work closely with the City and County Childcare Committees to match this data against reported capacity in the sector to meet the increase in demand. My Department is working with them on the development of action plans for areas where a shortfall in supply has been identified. Although Tusla, local authorities and other statutory bodies have no specific remit in relation to the supply of ECCE places, my Department will liaise with any bodies who have a role in facilitating the provision of childcare capacity as required.

My Department also announced the introduction of an Early Years Capital Programme earlier this year with total funding of €4 million available. This funding was targeted at early years pre-school providers that are making alterations to their services to accommodate increased numbers of children. The maximum grant available under this programme is €10,000. The closing date for applications was 8 April, 2016 and I hope to announce the successful applicants in the coming weeks.

Beyond the ECCE programme, my Department has taken measures to ensure grater access to the Community Childcare Subsidy (CCS) for eligible families. Whilst traditionally this subvention was only available through Community (Not for Profit) Childcare facilities, it has now been extended so that private childcare facilities can access it and pass the subvention onto eligible families.

If the Deputy is aware of capacity issues in a particular area, I would welcome receiving this information from him to pass to my officials.