Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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444. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the fact that early years practitioners have had to learn new systems and programmes with no additional funding; if there will be an additional administration budget for the 2017-2018 annual year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9208/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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In Budget 2017, I was pleased to secure additional funding of €14.5m, to help ease the burden of administration on childcare providers by paying for over a week's 'non-contact time' on top of existing capitation payments. Officials are making the arrangements necessary to administer this payment, which will be made in summer 2017. I am of the view that, in the long term, the cost of administration of schemes operated on behalf of my Department should be fully integrated into the capitation payments made to services. Research is necessary to accurately capture the cost - and time - burdens that providers face, and I am committed to undertaking this. In relation to the 2017-2018 year, I will be seeking funding for administration costs for childcare providers as part of the estimates process prior to Budget 2018.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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445. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the further funding that might be available to a playgroup (details supplied); if her Department will review the current funding provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9209/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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My Department administers a Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation, which supports new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people.

The Scheme provides for new and innovative projects which can include new facilities, equipment, designs and/or the utilisation of non-traditional play spaces or the refurbishment or upgrading of existing play and recreation spaces and facilities.

Applications to this Scheme can be made through the Local Authority in which the facility/equipment will be available. Matched funding is a requirement of the Scheme and can be in the form of funds raise by voluntary groups, or a Local Authority contribution of finance or ‘in kind’ funding.

The total amount of funding available in 2017 is €250,000. A maximum grant of €20,000 will be allocated to each Local Authority.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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446. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when parents in counties Cavan and Monaghan will have access to or have some information on the subsidy to which they are entitled under the affordable child care scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9210/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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"The universal element of the 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). The targeted element of the scheme will involve a progressive system of income-related subsidies for parents with children between 6 months and 15 years, with eligibility based on net parental income. A family may receive either the universal or the targeted subsidy per eligible child, not both. The subsidy provided will be whichever of the universal and targeted payment is most favourable to a family.

For parents with net incomes up to €22,700 per annum, the maximum rate of childcare subsidy will be payable. The rate of subsidy will taper downwards as net income rises, with no means-tested / income related subsidy payable when net income reaches €47,500. For families with net income levels above this threshold, the universal subsidy may be available, depending on the age of the child.

The scheme will be available in childcare providers who are registered with Tusla, including both centre-based childcare providers (e.g. crèches, preschools and daycare centres) and child-minders.

Further information regarding the Affordable Childcare Scheme can be found on the Department's website. There is also a FAQs document which should be of help to the parents in Cavan and Monaghan, as it outlines the subsidies that they will be able to avail of."

As plans for the implementation of the scheme progress further, details will become available through a dedicated website.