Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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609. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the removal of the 15-hour standard hours subsidy proposal from the development of the affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42677/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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There are no plans in place to remove the proposed 15 hour standard hours subsidy from the Affordable Childcare Scheme. I want to ensure a balanced approach to eligibility for childcare subsidies under the Affordable Childcare Scheme. While a family’s income will determine the amount of subsidy the family will qualify for, the parents’ participation in work or training will determine the number of hours of subsidy available. When parents are engaged in work (including part-time work and labour market activation programmes) or in education or training, they will be eligible for an enhanced subsidy of up to 40 hours per week. When parents are not in work or training, childcare will be subsidised on a standard basis of up to 15 hours per week. I believe that this is a reasonable approach that reflects a balance of the labour market and child development objectives that will underpin the new scheme.

It will mean that this Scheme is open – albeit for standard hours rather than enhanced hours – to parents who are not taking part in work or training, but who choose to avail of up to 15 hours of childcare per week. In the case of school going children, the child development objectives are met through school-going hours and, as such, the 15 standard hours of childcare applies to non-term time.