A Christmas gift has arrived for homeless and underprivileged parents in Dublin, the Minister of Children, Katherine Zappone T.D., announced that parents will be offered free childcare from next month.
Children who are aged 0-5 years will receive 25 hours a week free childcare, including a daily meal. The government will make €8.25m available under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Programme.
Presently the CCS Programme provides disadvantaged families who have qualified for assistance with reduced childcare costs at participating community childcare services, but parents have to pay the rest of the fees.
Free childcare will be made available within Dublin at first, but will eventually extend to other areas outside of Dublin. There are currently 85% of the 100% homeless children living in Dublin only.
The Minister said: “Focus Ireland will work closely with my Department to identify eligible families. The Dublin-based City and County Childcare Committees will encourage and support relevant childcare providers to engage with the scheme.”
