The Department of Children and Youth Affairs (‘DCYA’ – www.dcya.gov.ie) is inviting submissions on regulations and quality improvement frameworks in School-Age Childcare (SAC), which will inform the work of DCYA in this area. The Public Consultation has been launched ahead of the National Childcare Scheme, which starts in October 2019.

The numbers of families accessing school-age childcare has seen significant growth in recent years. The National Childcare Scheme will provide financial support towards the cost of childcare for parents availing of childcare services, with families of over 21,000 children expected to benefit. School–Age Childcare is defined as any childcare service for school-age children (4 to 15 years), and does not include after-school recreational sports clubs or school homework clubs.

Submissions are invited from interested parties and members of the public, including children.

To make a submission:
– complete the online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z5TWJR6, or 
– email a submission of not more than 1,000 words to SACQuality@dcya.gov.ie, including your name, organisation (if any), address, phone number, and email address.

DCYA may seek to engage with people or organisations on the basis of their submission for further discussion. By making a submission, you agree to DCYA reserving the right to publish your submission in part or in full.