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

656. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of households that are currently part of band A, band AJ and band B of the community child care subvention scheme. [39457/17]

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

The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not currently available as registration of children for the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme only began on September 18th and will continue until the 13th of October 2017. Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) child registrations commenced in late August and are continuing. In the 2017/18 programme year the bands and eligibility have changed with children who would have qualified for band B in 2016-17 now being spilt between band B and a new band, band D.

While the number of households is not readily available, the below figures refer to the number of unique children who availed of CCS and CCSP under band A, band AJ and band B in the 2016/17 programme year:

In addition, a new universal subsidy is available for all children aged between 6 months and 3 years of age (or until they qualify for ECCE if later than 36 months) in registered childcare. This amounts to as much as €20 a week or €1,040 per year for children in full time childcare. An estimated 33,000 children may avail of the universal element of the CCS scheme.

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

657. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the maximum income thresholds for band A, band AJ and band B of the community child care subvention scheme. [39458/17]

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

The eligibility of the applying parent is determined in the main by their status with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and whether they hold a medical card. As such, maximum income thresholds do not apply. In the 2017-18 programme year the bands and eligibility have changed with children who would have qualified for band B in 2016/17 now being split between band B and a new band, band D. The eligibility criteria and subsequent childcare and subvention options are set out in the accompanying Table.