Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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408. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of funding for a preschool (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22399/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Assisting childcare providers in extending their existing childcare services, or establishing new childcare services, have always been key areas of focus for my Department's capital programmes.

Each year the Department reviews the capital programmes as a whole and determines the priorities for Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital grants.

The capital strands have been made available to achieve the strategic priorities for 2019 as determined by the Department, having regard to the funding available, developed using analysis of the current state of the childcare sector, learnings from previous capital programmes and feedback and input from stakeholders, including childcare providers and Pobal.

I remain committed to assisting all childcare providers, both community and private, in providing world-class childcare and meeting demand for childcare places, and I anticipate that this year's Capital programme will build on last year's good work in the sector, as well as that of previous years.

The application window for the Capital programmes closed on 27^thMarch 2019 and the appraisal process for applications is currently underway in Pobal. I am unable to comment on this service's capital application, however I would like to assure you that all applications for funding will be appraised in a fair, thorough and impartial manner. In accordance with principles of fairness and equality, no favour will be shown to any individual service or services, and all appraisal will be undertaken on the basis of the content of their applications for funding alone.

Decisions are due to be delivered to applicants in June 2019 in the hope that capital works can begin as soon as possible following this.

The results of the appraisal process, including the final decisions, will be communicated to providers directly following their completion.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the new national childcare scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that changes to funding streams are affecting after-school project services in disadvantaged areas; the way in which these after-school project services will be funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22421/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The National Childcare Scheme is a new, national scheme of financial support for parents towards the cost of childcare. The development of this Scheme is a significant move forward in delivering quality, accessible, affordable childcare to families throughout Ireland.

The Scheme represents a fundamental shift away from subsidies grounded in medical card and social protection entitlements, and towards a comprehensive and progressive system of universal and income-based subsidies. By making this shift and by tangibly reducing the cost of quality childcare for thousands of families across Ireland, the Scheme aims to improve children's outcomes, support lifelong learning, make work pay and reduce child poverty. It is also designed to have a positive impact on gender equality in relation to labour market participation and employment opportunities.

The Scheme will replace the existing targeted childcare schemes with a single, streamlined and user-friendly scheme, providing both universal and targeted childcare subsidies. To make the transition to the new Scheme as smooth as possible, families can choose to make the switch to the new Scheme once it launches (targeted for October/ November 2019) or can remain on their current childcare subsidy programme for one final year.

With regard to income-based subsidies awarded under the Scheme, parents who are working, studying or who meet certain other conditions will qualify for an enhanced-hours subsidy (up to a maximum of 40 hours per week). The definitions of ‘work’ and ‘study’ will be set out in regulations made under the Childcare Support Act 2018 and will be comprehensive, covering differing types of work and study arrangements, such as part-time, week on/ week off and zero hour contract arrangements.

The National Childcare Scheme will greatly increase the number of families who can access financial support. By removing many of the restrictive eligibility requirements of the existing programmes, a far greater number of families will be eligible for targeted, income-related subsidies. Many families will, for the first time, be entitled to subsidies which will reduce their childcare costs significantly.

There may, however, be a small number of cases where a family who is currently receiving the maximum rate for full-timechildcare under an existing programme may receive less under the National Childcare Scheme, particularly if their child is – in reality – receiving afterschoolcare rather than full-time childcare. In such cases, the family can remain on their current payment in the transition period following the Scheme’s launch. I have also directed my officials to undertake research and analysis to examine any adjustments to the National Childcare Scheme which might be required to address unusual or anomalous cases, where this is the right thing to do to protect and benefit lower income parents.

In this regard, I would highlight that the new National Childcare Scheme has been designed to be flexible, with income thresholds, maximum hours and subsidy rates which can be adjusted in line with Government decisions and as more investment becomes available. As such, any adjustments deemed necessary by Government can be carried out in a quick and responsive manner.

Finally, the Deputy may be aware that my Department also funds Educational Welfare services which are operated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Schools Completion Programme regularly provides after-school services or homework clubs. These are most often provided in areas of disadvantage. The funding for Educational Welfare activities is unaffected by the National Childcare Scheme.