Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
426. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of providing free childcare for all children under five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28839/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has requested the full year cost of providing free childcare for all children under five years.
According to the most recent Census data, there are 293,769 children under 5 in Ireland.
To generate the cost of providing free early learning and childcare to these children, it is assumed that they avail of a full time place, on a year round basis (52 weeks per year).
According to the latest data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey, the median weekly fee for a full time place is €197.43.
To calculate the cost of this measure, the below formula was used.
(number of children under 5) x (number of weeks of early learning and childcare used) x (mean weekly fee for a full time place)
This formula generates a cost of €3.01bn.
This estimate assumes that 100% of children under 5 will avail of a full time place on a year round basis and does not take account of a range of factors including parental preference and work patterns, current usage patterns, existing State supports and availability.
According to a recent survey carried out by IPSOS on behalf of my Department in 2023, just under half of children not yet in school were cared for at home (45%), while over one in four (27%) attended a centre-based setting.
From August 2024, the combined durations of Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Leave and Benefit will equate to 46 weeks paid leave for a two-parent family. In addition, 16 weeks of unpaid maternity leave is available, 26 weeks of unpaid parental leave is available and, as part of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, the right to request flexible working for parents and carers and remote working for all employees has commenced.
The ECCE programme already provides two year of pre-school to every child (over 3 hours per day, 5 days per week, 38 per year) at no cost to parents.
