Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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134. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the current review into the national childcare system; the expected timeframe for completion of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48614/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The 12 month review of the National Childcare Scheme, as required under Section 26 of the Childcare Support Act 2018, commenced at the end of March 2021. It is an independent assessment of the implementation and impacts of NCS during its first year of operation and will provide key data and information to support the future development of the NCS.

The report is in the final stages of completion by the consultant tasked with the review of the NCS and it is intended that the report will be submitted to the houses of the Oireachtas in Q.4 of this year.

The review was undertaken to provide a basis for my Department to consider how effectively the NCS is operating and whether it delivered on its objectives within the first year.

The review, once completed, will provide an opportunity for my Department and me to consider how the NCS meets its policy objectives, of improved children's outcomes, parental engagement in work or study and reduced child poverty, and support those most in need in the best evidence informed manner.