Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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573. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if advice (details supplied) will be made public that was given to her Department by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding plans for an alternative application system for the national childcare scheme that would not necessitate a public services card and a MyGov identification; the reason this alternative application system was not chosen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41615/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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When it is fully up and running, applications for the National Childcare Scheme will be accepted both online and by post.  The online application process will be introduced first, followed shortly thereafter by the postal application process. A Public Services Card (PSC) and verified MyGovID account are required to apply online only.

The online system will offer a user friendly and effective system for parents, whilst offering greater efficiency in the administration and costs associated with the operation of a Government scheme. A secure identity verification system is required for any such IT system and the Public Services Card and MyGovID offers such security in the safeguarding of applicants' information and the administration of public funding.

For online applicants, the PSC has authenticated their identity to SAFE 2 level, which is the highest standard available for the public service. Where a postal application is used, applicants are required to provide proof of identity alongside their application. 

The original plans for the National Childcare Scheme IT system included a secondary online authentication method. This was removed in January 2018 following a communication from the Office of the Government's Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) that MyGovID should be used exclusively for online authentication of individuals, noting that it is the highest online form of identity assurance in the State.  

The advice is a matter of record within the Department and can be made available to the Deputy if required.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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574. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who will benefit from the universal subsidy provided by the national childcare scheme. [41660/19]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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575. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children that will benefit from the targeted subsidy provided by the national childcare scheme. [41661/19]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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576. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of targeted childcare subsidy that corresponds to each €5,000 income increment between €0 and €60,000 that is €0 to €5,000 and €5,000 to 10,000. [41662/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 574 to 576, inclusive, together.

The introduction of the new National Childcare Scheme is a landmark moment for making high quality childcare more affordable and accessible to families in Ireland. The Scheme’s objectives are to improve outcomes for children, reduce poverty, facilitate labour activation, tangibly reduce the cost of childcare for tens of thousands of families, and establish a sustainable platform for investment in the Irish childcare sector for decades to come.

As the Deputy will be aware, Budget 2020 provided that the maximum subsidised hours available under the Scheme will be increased from September 2020. The maximum "enhanced" hours will increase from 40 to 45 hours. This will be of particular benefit to school age children who need childcare before or after school, as well as parents juggling long working hours and commuting schedules. The maximum "standard" hours subsidy will also increase from September 2020 from 15 to 20 hours. This will benefit families where parents are not working or studying. This will support the Scheme’s objective of promoting employment, reducing poverty and improving outcomes for children.

The following table provides answers the Deputy's question. In answering the question the following is noted:

- As the minimum income threshold is €26,000, the top rate of subsidy applies to all net incomes below this.

- DCYA income models use a midpoint for each income increment as the subsidy tapers depending on income. That is, a person at the lowest point of an income increment will receive more than the stated example and a person at the highest point of an income increment will receive less than the stated example. The information requested is presented in the “midpoint” form.

It is challenging to estimate the numbers who will take up the new Scheme, given that this scheme represents a considerable departure from legacy schemes and noting that the saver arrangements will run in parallel. However, it is estimated that approximately 60,000 to 65,000 children will benefit from targeted subsidies and 17,000 children will benefit from universal subsidies.