Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
678. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the action that has been undertaken in furtherance of the stated commitment in the Programme for Government to enhance parental choice through support for public providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15784/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra679. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the action that has been undertaken in furtherance of the stated commitment in the Programme for Government to enhance parental choice through support for private providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15785/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra681. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the action that has been undertaken in furtherance of the stated commitment in the Programme for Government to enhance parental choice through support for community provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15787/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 678, 679 and 681 together.
Considerable reform has been implemented in the early learning and childcare sector in recent years through increased public management and public funding. The framework for reform of the sector is set out in Partnership for the Public Good, the 2021 report of an Expert Group which was established to develop a new funding model for the sector.
The key theme of the recommendations in the report was to strengthen State involvement and enhanced public management in the sector, in conjunction with increased State funding.
The total allocation for early learning and childcare in 2025 is €1.37 billion - €1.25 billion of which is allocated through Together for Better, the funding model for early learning and childcare, specifically:
• €269.3m for the ECCE programme
• €80.9m for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM)
• €529.8m for the National Childcare Scheme (NCS)
• €17.2m for Equal Start.
• €353.2m for Core Funding
The funding model is designed to support the diverse early learning and childcare sector. The sector comprises a wide range of different service provider types, both community and private; large and small; operating in domestic buildings, community centres, and commercial buildings; and providing a range of different services for children of different ages.
In addition, capital funding is being allocated by my Department to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan. This is enabling significant investment in early learning and childcare. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is being operated this year. Under the scheme, applicants must deliver additional full-time capacity for 1-3 year olds. Under the scheme, private service may apply for capital funding to extend their existing premises. Community services may apply for capital funding to extend their existing premises or to purchase or construction new premises.
In relation to public delivery, the Programme for Government contains a commitment for the first time to public provision and to capital investment to build or purchase State-owned facilities. Some early scoping work has been carried out to explore options to introduce a segment of public provision. This will require much more detailed and extensive policy development and design in order progress to implementation stage, having regard to the wider policy emerging policy context as set out in the Programme for Government.
There are different understandings of what public provision means to stakeholders in the sector. Issues relating to staff employment, pay and conditions; ownership and management of buildings; operating models; governance arrangements; service offering; appropriate level of supply of services; fees for parents; and the overall funding model are being examined by officials.
