Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

29. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the provision of affordable child care; the role she sees for the private sector in child care provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14840/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The DCYA administers a number of programmes to assist parents in accessing affordable childcare. These programmes are predominantly available through formal childcare settings such as crèches or preschools, some of which are run by community/not-for profit organisations, and some by private providers. In some instances programmes are also available through Tusla notified childminders who meet contract requirements.

The largest scheme operated by my Department is the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which from September 2016, will make free preschool available for 15 hours per week for 38 weeks per annum to all children from the time they turn three, until they go to school, entering at three points in the year: September, January and April. On average, from September 2016, children will benefit from 61 weeks, up from the current provision of 38 weeks. Access to the average 61 weeks of ECCE can reduce the cost of childcare by €4000 per child.

My Department also operates the Community Childcare Supplement (CCS), the After-School Childcare (ASCC), the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS), and the Community Employment Childcare (CEC) programmes which subsidise childcare for eligible parents. In 2017 my Department plans to replace these with a single and simplified programme that will be available through community (not for profit) and private childcare providers. This programme, when developed, will provide an infrastructure through which any further investment in the subsidisation of childcare can be delivered. Some subsidised childcare places through the Community Childcare Supplement (CCS) programme remain available and I encourage low income parents to make enquiries regarding their possible eligibility for CCS with their local City and County Childcare Committee.

My Department has long-standing relationships with community/not-for-profit childcare providers, and recognises the important role that this sector has to play in childcare provision. As demand for childcare continues to grow with, for example, the ECCE scheme set to increase from 67,000 children last year to approximately 127,000 in 2017, it is essential to support both community and private childcare provision to meet this demand. An extra €16m was allocated in Budget 2016 to provide for the expansion of the CCS Programme to eligible families. As these families do not always live in areas served by community/not-for-profit services, the programme was expended to private providers. Irrespective of who the service provider is, I am determined to ensure that high-quality education and care is provided to all children. To that end, new Child Care Regulations will come into effect on a phased basis from 30 June 2016.