Press Release

Early Childhood Ireland’s initial reaction to this new Free Childcare for Homeless Children scheme announced this morning.

According to Teresa Heeney CEO Early Childhood Ireland:

“It is commendable to see the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs spearheading this drive to support homeless families, with free childcare for homeless children.  The childcare sector will not be, and never has been, found lacking in compassion for children who don’t have a place they can call home where they can sleep, eat, play and relax comfortably and safely. Children must have the opportunity to play and to form friendships with other children.

“We look forward to working with the  Minister and her officials to make sure that the Scheme is strong and workable.

“We understand a number of services in Dublin have already been identified by the DCYA to participate in this new scheme and that the City and County Childcare Committees will work with DCYA to identify a list of eligible services.  It is likely that supports will be required to ensure that there is sufficient places for these children come the early months of 2017.

“We intend facilitating a consultation with our members in Dublin, targeted to deliver on this scheme, the services with the capacity to accommodate extra childcare spaces, with the facilities to make hot food and the set up to make this happen in January 2017. 

“On initial glance the capitation level appears  low at 110 euro for 25 hours weekly including meals daily.  What we would expect with an age range from 0 to 5 years old is a tiered approach for such a scheme, which must reflect the different cost of providing services across the age groups in line with the higher ratios of carer to child for babies, versus toddlers, versus 4 year olds.  This was a recommendation in the Affordable Childcare Scheme and it should be considered and accounted for in this scheme too. 

“We are confident that our meaningful consultation with our members and DCYA will result in plans to resolve any outstanding details.”