Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) Scheme
The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) Scheme is managed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on behalf of FAS and the VECs. FAS and the VECs, in conjunction with the Dept of Education and Skills, decide who is eligible and the main terms and conditions of the programme. There are about 2,800 places in total available under the programme. These are divided between FAS and VEC parents, with full-time, part-time and afterschool places available. The purpose of the programme is to benefit parents on eligible FÁS and VEC courses. For September 2011, the operation of the programme is being revised. This has been done to make it more cost-effective and more accessible to parents. The payments system is being improved also and more services are taking part than before.
The rates of payment for FAS and VEC services will be:
- Full-time: €170 per week
- Part time: €95 per week
- Afterschool: €50 per week
- Afterschool with pickup service: €95
In total, FAS places will be paid for a maximum of 51 weeks and VEC places will be paid for a maximum of 43 weeks.
Conditions of the programme
Services offering VEC places under CETS must be open from September 2011 to at least 6th July 2012.
Services offering FAS places under CETS must be open the whole year around (except for one week at Christmas).
Services will not be paid for one week from Christmas to New Year.
