Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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663. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the number of weeks provided under ECCE by 1 to 8 weeks, respectively. [54077/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The estimated cost of extending the ECCE programme, as specified by the Deputy, is contained in the table. These figures are based on current rates for the ECCE 2017/2018 programme year. It should be noted that this question only addresses the financial aspect of such increases. Any such changes would require revision of rules around eligibility and enrolment dates and would need to look at issues of capacity with regard to physical space, staffing capacities and other associated matters.

The actual cost of this proposal would be subject to a number of factors including actual levels of participation, and the number of children subvented at the 'higher capitation' rate- costs increase as the number of higher qualified staff increase.