Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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139. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many parents and guardians will benefit from childcare measures announced in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55728/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In 2024, the allocation for early learning and childcare will be €1.109 billion, a €83 million (8%) increase on last year’s allocation.

In 22/23 there were approximately 213,000 children in centre based early learning and childcare. This equates to approximately 150,000 families.

All children in early learning and childcare supported by this Department will benefit from some or all of measures supported by this €1.1 billion allocation. Either through affordability measures or through the various quality, access and inclusion measures. The funding in 2024 for the early learning and childcare sector provides for:

• The continuation of the ECCE programme that will benefit more than 103,000 children in 2024.
• The continuation of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) to ensure children with a disability can access and meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme. Funding will provide for an increasing cohort of children with a disability availing of targeted AIM supports – approximately 7,000 - as well as the expansion of these supports beyond time spent in the ECCE programme, in term and out of term.
• The continuation of the NCS, and the introduction of enhancements to the Scheme with more than 150,000 unique children to benefit from changes to the minimum subsidy rate and the sponsorship rate.
• The continuation of Core Funding, with enhancements to the Scheme in year 3.
• The introduction of the Equal Participation Model (EPM), whereby services will be provided with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage.
• The delivery of a range of regulatory and quality supports for the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding; Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan, and the ongoing development of the registration and inspection system as well as policy development commitments set out in First 5 and the Programme for Government.