Results 321-340 of 1,047,672 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Danny Healy-Rae OR speaker:Emer Higgins OR speaker:Michael Healy-Rae OR speaker:Verona Murphy OR speaker:Eoin Ó Broin) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Childcare Services

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: 8. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on his Department's efforts to further reduce the cost of childcare in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39013/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: Timing is everything. I would like to ask a question about the Minister's vision for budget 2025 and the further investments he proposes to reduce the cost of childcare for parents up and down the country but also in addition to the question that has been legitimately asked, and that is about public childcare funding. I am delighted to hear the Labour Party reiterate its position on that....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: We were able to announce a 25% increase in funding for early years in my Department yesterday, a very significant increase in funding. What that will do in 2025 I draw into three distinct areas. As the Deputy knows, in 2024, we were able to achieve a second very significant cut in fees for parents through the national childcare scheme and, because of that, more parents are signing up to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes (2 Oct 2024)

Catherine Connolly: You have gone way over time on that.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: Apologies.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mother and Baby Homes (2 Oct 2024)

Catherine Connolly: That is okay. I have allowed it given the sensitivity of the topic.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Childcare Services

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: 5. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans to increase childcare places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39160/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: My question is about the provision of childcare in the State. This is a burning question for the upcoming general election and has been for the last number of decades, related to childcare provision becoming unaffordable for many parents. What measures has the Government taken in terms of increasing childcare provision in the State?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Deputy for his question. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority for me as Minister. The data available shows that the level of capacity in the sector has risen substantially in recent years. However, I am aware that nationally, and in my own constituency as well, some parents are having difficulty in locating the type of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: We acknowledge there has been progress in terms of childcare provision but we also acknowledge the disparate nature of childcare in the State where the majority of childcare provision is privatised. The Scandinavian model is a better model as it is publicly funded and childcare provision is essentially free. That is a better model than the disparate nature of what we have at the moment....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is important, while acknowledging the imperfections of how our system operates right now, that we always acknowledge the amazing work done in so many services all over the country, both community and private, in looking after our children and providing early learning and care. I believe there is a greater role for the State in the direct provision of early learning and care,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: In terms of cost, childcare for some families is costing over €1,000 per month and that is cheap in some ways. That is a huge cost which is almost like a mortgage. What would the Minister consider a manageable fee if there is still a model where parents have to pay? Those costs should not be accepted. They are crippling for parents. While there are community-based crèches...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Childcare Services (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: I hope I have demonstrated over the last four years my absolute determination to reduce costs. I have done that through the increases in the national childcare scheme, NCS. On average, we have been able to halve costs for parents. That has to be acknowledged. I would like to go further if I am part of the next Government. I will look to continue to go further but I caution on costs,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (2 Oct 2024)

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Social Enterprise Sector

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Claire Kerrane: 6. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine opportunities to use the social enterprise model when it comes to the roll-out of additional childcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38971/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Claire Kerrane: This is to ask the Minister about the possibility of examining opportunities to use the social enterprise model. This is something we had put forward in our childcare plan and which should be looked at as a way to quickly build the capacity that is badly needed in the childcare sector.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Enterprise Sector (2 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: As outlined in the national social enterprise policy, Trading for Impact, social enterprises are enterprises whose objective is to achieve a social or environmental impact, rather than maximising profit for its owners or shareholders. That policy response recognises that the early learning and childcare sector includes many social enterprises. Indeed, there are more social enterprises in...