Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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286. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 785 of 29 November 2016, if she will provide clarity in particular on a sentence (details supplied); if this means that the universal subsidy will be paid to parents on a pro rata basis; if so, the number of hours of child care per week and the number of weeks per year a child will have to undertake for their parents to be eligible for the maximum subsidy of €900; and if she will provide an explanation for a scenario (details supplied). [38904/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The universal element of the Affordable Childcare Scheme will be available to all families with children between the age of 6 months and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the free pre-school programme if later than 36 months), who are attending a childcare provider who is registered with Tusla initially, including both centre-based childcare providers (e.g. crèches, preschools and daycare centres) and child-minders.

Under the scheme, there will be no requirement to avail of a minimum number of subsidised hours or weeks. Subject to the terms of the scheme, including the maximum subsidised hours per week, the universal subsidy will be payable for the number of hours and weeks agreed between the parent and childcare provider. The universal subsidy is paid at a rate of €0.50 per hour of childcare.

If one household (''Household A'') pays €7,200 per year on a full time care place (30 hours per week, for 36 weeks per year), this household be eligible for the maximum rate of €540 i.e. 30hrs x.50 cent per hr =€15 per week x36weeks = €540

If one household (''Household B'') pays the same amount on childcare per year as Household A of €7,200 per year but for a part time care place (15 hours per day, for 36 weeks per year), this household be eligible for the maximum rate of €270 i.e. 15hrs x.50 cent per hr =€7.5 per week x36weeks = €270.