On Friday 28th October 2016 Minister Zappone published a policy paper on the new Single Affordable Childcare Scheme and launched an online consultation survey.
The scheme, which was announced as part of Budget 2017, aims to make childcare more affordable for families. It will include a universal element for children between 6 and 36 months, and a targeted element, based on net parental income, for children up to 15 years. The scheme will also create a flexible platform for future investment in childcare.
The policy paper provides detail on the scheme and can be accessed at the following link.
Minister Zappone invites everyone- parents, other family members, childcare providers, childminders and anyone interested in the issues- to share their views on the detail of the policy by Friday 25th November 2016. The online survey can be accessed at here. If you would like a paper copy posted to you, please call 01 6473000.
Please note that submissions will not be responded to on an individual basis but will be taken into consideration. Feedback from the survey will be used to refine specific design features of the scheme to be introduced in September 2017, and to inform future policy development.