Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

162. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the gradual reduction of childcare costs as committed to in the Programme for Government; the steps she has taken to progress this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7381/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is progressing a range of actions to reduce the cost of early learning and childcare to families.

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is the primary measure aimed at reducing costs. Through the provision of both universal and targeted subsidies, thee Scheme is progressive in nature ensuring the highest levels of subsidies go to families that need them most. As of September 2024, the minimum hourly subsidy available under the NCS was raised from €1.40 to €2.14.

Fee controls, in place in almost 93% of early learning and childcare services as a result of Core Funding scheme, ensures that the investment in the NCS has resulted in real change for parents and not been unnecessarily absorbed by fee increases.

Record numbers of children and their families are now benefiting from the NCS. Over 178,000 children have benefited from a subsidy under the Scheme this year so far.

This includes children in childminding settings that have started to come forward for registration, following changes to the childminder Tusla registration requirements last September.

Additionally, the ECCE Programme continues to provide 2 free years of childcare for families and enjoys uptake rates in excess of 96%.

Recent data from the OECD show the impact of the actions we have taken.

Moreover, data from the OECD shows a reduction in the proportion of childcare costs relative to their net income of 9% for couples and 47% for lone parents, between 2018 and 2023. The change in 2024 will further reduce these figures meaning early learning and childcare will take less from these families net income.

The Programme for Government will build on these initiatives and provides the impetus to deliver even greater affordability and access.

Government is also committing to progressively reduce the cost of early learning and childcare to €200 per child, over the lifetime of the Government.