Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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813. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children that availed of child care places under the special provision of the community child care subvention scheme for homeless children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9866/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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To date 67 childcare services have joined the special provision of the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme for homeless children. The number of homeless children who have registered under the programme is 14. This is only a small portion of those who are eligible.

While uptake of new schemes can be low in the early stages, I am keen to ensure that a lack of awareness is not a cause of the low uptake.

An advisory group has been set up and met for the first time on Tuesday 14th February, to discuss how to promote more wide-spread uptake of the programme to the targeted audience. On foot of this, my Department has initiated an awareness campaign targeting homeless families through Focus Ireland and other community and voluntary groups which come into contact with families on a regular basis; and targeting childcare providers to encourage uptake through Pobal and through the Dublin based City and County Childcare Committees.

My Department has recently developed information literature in the form of leaflets in order to raise awareness of the programme among the public. These leaflets are presently being distributed by Focus Ireland and the four Dublin Childcare Committees.

Focus Ireland have supported and provided the appropriate forms to 42 children to enable them access the programme. My Department is also currently in consultation with local authorities to roll out the programme nationwide.

I am confident that this programme will meet its objectives with regard to supporting homeless families and I am hopeful that through the measures my Department has taken to increase awareness that we will see increased uptake in the coming weeks and months.