Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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499. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review a matter (details supplied); if she will address the concerns of the person; the steps she is taking to assist on these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43550/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Over the course of the past year and beyond, my Department has been working to build a childcare system that is based on principles of affordability, accessibility and quality.

The increase in supports I have provided for the 2017/18 Programme year represents a major step towards accessible, affordable, quality childcare after decades of neglect and under-investment by successive Governments.

There are two supports being rolled out under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS and CCSP) Schemes. These include universal (non means tested supports) of up to €1,040 per year, and enhanced supports of up to €7,500 to assist families to return to work and training. All of the supports are equally accessible between community and private providers.

The specific rules around the CCS schemes including eligibility has been constructed and layered to ensure that those most in need receive the highest level of subvention.

My Department received a high volume of calls from parents looking to know where they could access the new universal subsidy. A list of services that have signed the CCSP contract (which enables access to the universal subsidy) was added to the website for the convenience of parents and support agencies. It was decided that to include all of the schemes to the list would confuse matters when the majority of the traffic to the site and queries related to the universal subsidy.

I recognise the pressures on childcare providers and I have provided €3.5 million towards 'non contact time' for all childcare providers who register for the enhanced childcare measures. This, in addition to the €14.5 million that has been already paid to childcare services so far in 2017 in recognition of the administration associated with ECCE and other schemes.

My Department has also worked to enhance access to the schemes by changing the former CCS Private Scheme to the expanded CCS Plus Scheme through which community providers can opt to register children for holiday periods and children for the universal scheme.

My Department is also working to streamline the registration process in consultation with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

I am committed to ensuring that our childcare subvention schemes meet the needs of children, parents and providers. My Department will continue to review the CCS scheme and ensure that the rules are clear and well communicated. I will take on board the detailed comments set out in correspondence and my officials will consider the issues raised and will respond in more detail to each issue raised.