An €8.25m scheme to provide free childcare to under 5-year olds living in
emergency accommodation is being extended outside Dublin to nine other
regions, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone
has confirmed.
The Minister says Councils in Clare, Cork City, Cavan, Donegal, Kildare,
Kilkenny, Leitrim, Offaly, Wicklow have signed up to get involved.
Under the scheme each child is entitled to 25 hours of free childcare a
week and a daily meal.
In addition an information campaign is underway to ensure families are
aware of this entitlement, with leaflets being distributed through
frontline agencies such as Focus Ireland.
Currently just over 50 children are availing of the scheme – but Minister
Zappone says there is capacity for many more if they wish to take up the
entitlement.
Giving an update on the scheme the Children’s Minister said:
“Accessibility is at the very centre of our ambitious plans to move Ireland
from one of the most expensive childcare systems in the world to one of the
best.
Expensive childcare is stopping parents from taking up jobs, training and
education opportunities. This scheme is aimed at lifting that barrier for
those families in greatest need.
By providng a safe environment for very young children and an important
daily meal we are helping to open up opportunities for their parents.
This scheme was identified as providing an important need by those who work
in the frontline of the homeless crisis when I met them last year.
We acted swiftly to make it a reality and were able to secure over €8m in
funding.
I am encouraging Focus Ireland, other frontline agencies and all local
authorities to use every means possible to ensure families are aware of
this vital support.
Our expansion beyond the four Dublin local authorities into nine new areas
is welcome – but I would like to see us operational in every part of the
country. I encourage other Councils to come on board.”
Note on key elements of the scheme
· All children living in homeless conditions, aged 0-5 inclusive,
will be eligible for the scheme.
· The Department of Children and Youth Affairs are working with
Focus Ireland to ensure that all eligible children will be aware of the
scheme and supported in accessing the scheme
· Children will be eligible for 25 hours per weeks, which will
include 15 hours of free pre-school (ECCE) where they are eligible for
this, or school hours. School children will avail of this free childcare
outside of term time. This free childcare will be available for 50 weeks of
the year.
· Providers can receive backdated payments to January for services
they provide to children so registration does not reflect real-time
numbers.
· Contracted childcare services will be provided with a flat rate
of €110 per week, per child for these part-time children.
· Parents will not be asked to pay any top–up or co-payment for
these part-time hours.
· Participating service providers must accept the terms of the
scheme when signing up to the programme.
· A daily meal must be provided for each child (which will be
included in the subvention rate).