Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

443. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, with regard to the affordable child care scheme, the current programme implementation platform, PIP, system and the new information technology online application system will be ready prior to September 2017 to ensure it is piloted and tested properly and that early years practitioners are provided the training on the way to implement the new system. [9207/17]

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

The policy paper for the introduction of the Affordable Childcare Scheme was approved by Government in October 2016. Since then, officials of the DCYA and Pobal have been working intensively to plan for the implementation of the Affordable Childcare Scheme. I am committed to the earliest possible introduction of the Affordable Childcare Scheme.

We are working to an ambitious deadline because of what is involved – legislation, new business processes, data protection and building a new IT system.

We will need to integrate data from the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners so that the system can calculate every family’s net income and ACS subsidy. We will need to test the IT system rigorously to make sure it works, even in complicated family circumstances.

Because of all of this, we may not have a fully automated system that delivers everything by September 2017. However, we are working intensively to make sure we have an initial system that works for parents from that date. This may involve, for example, having an automated version of the universal element, with quick turnaround times for parents, while leaving somewhat longer turnaround times to complete the means assessment for applications for the targeted element of the system. DCYA will then continue work, with Pobal, on building a fully automated system.

Full information on the Scheme will be made available to parents and childcare providers well in advance of September, and change management supports will be provided to childcare services.