Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1128. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the figures presented by the CSO, which suggest that just 52% of children availed of the ECCE scheme during the 12 months prior to being interviewed in Q3 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33975/17]

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

As the Deputy will have noted there are number of qualifications with regard to this figure, particularly, that it does not take into account:

- 18% who availed of Scheme in the previous year

- 15% who do not qualify for the scheme within the given timeframe

It is worth noting that the growing up in Ireland survey reported that “95% of children who started school in September 2012 had availed of the Free Preschool Year.” At that time the scheme was only available for 38 weeks for children between the ages of 3 years and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months.

Notwithstanding this I am concerned to note that a small number of parents stated that they were either unaware of the programme or had no access to a local childcare provider. My Department and the local City/County Childcare Committees are actively working to highlight the availability of childcare provision and supports available to parents.

My Department has been running a multi-faceted information campaign to raise awareness amongst childcare providers, parents and the wider sector with regard to the availability of increased childcare subvention taking effect from September 2017. While not focused on ECCE at this time, it provides key resources and contacts for parents to inform themselves with regard to childcare including key contacts for the city/county Childcare Committees.