The Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) subvents the fees charged to disadvantaged and lower income parents in the 20% of crèches and pre-schools in the not-for-profit sector.

Speaking at the announcement of the annual return on December 9, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Barry Andrews said:

"I am delighted to report that the number of families benefiting from the scheme is increasing on a monthly basis, due to the opening of additional services, and an increase in the number of children attending existing community services."

Key findings in the return showed:

• a 20% increase in the take-up of places available under the scheme since November 2007;
• a high level of service shown by quality indicators, including salary levels and child-to-staff ratios;
• parental fees remained well below those in the commercial sector.

"I am also pleased to see that the quality of the experience children have in these CCSS services is second to none. This is clearly assisted by staffing ratios, which exceed the already excellent standards set down in the Childcare (Pre-School) Services Regulations," Minister Andrews said.  

"The cost of childcare is also important and by using tiered fees, CCSS services make childcare more affordable for all in the community, regardless of economic circumstances. 

"The increase in funding for CCSS services is up from €37m in 2007, to over €50m in 2008, and has substantially reduced the average fees paid by parents. 

"The current average fee is €83 per child, per week, starting from an average of €40 for the most disadvantaged parents, €70 to €95 for lower income working families, and €140 for middle and upper income parents. 

"This compares favourably with the national average weekly childcare fee of €174 per child, per week, found by the National Children’s Nurseries Association (NCNA) in a survey they launched last week. 

"Fees in community services are based on the cost price (79% of which are staff costs), less CCSS subvention. These costs are projected to rise by an average of €12 per week in 2009, keeping them well below the market rate, even for middle and upper income parents," Minister Andrews said.

However, a Community Childcare Campaign has been mounted by SIPTU, aimed at creating a platform for those working in community childcare services affected by the Childcare Subvention Scheme. The campaign is supported by Barnardos, Ireland's leading children's charity.

“There are very real concerns across the Community Childcare sector that the Subvention Scheme will result in increased childcare fees for parents, closures, and job losses across the country. At the heart of this is a fear that there will be less access to high quality, affordable childcare for those children living in some of Ireland’s most disadvantaged areas,” Fergus Finlay, CEO of Barnardos, said.

“Barnardos has long campaigned for the provision of universal, high-quality, affordable childcare for all Irish children. While supporting existing investment in the area, we are concerned that rather than providing a comprehensive early education and care system, the Subvention Scheme will further fragment the provision of childcare in Ireland and lead to a two-tier system between private and public childcare facilities.”

“The inability of low income families to pay for childcare has a very real impact on children living in these families. It is well established that education is a proven route out of poverty and that quality early education and care helps to prepare children for primary school. If we are to ensure that all children have equality of opportunity in relation to education, then the provision of quality early education and care is vital," Mr Finlay said.
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