Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
102. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the common practice of childcare facilities charging non-refundable deposits; the engagement he has had with childcare providers to cease this practice, given the financial hardship on families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/24]
View answerProviders participating in Core Funding must adhere to the following contractual requirement in respect of deposits, specifically:
A Partner Service agrees that they will not charge any non-refundable deposits to parents/guardians in the respect of their early learning and childcare service where the parent/guardian takes up the service for which the deposit was paid.
More than 94% of providers are signed up to this scheme this year.
In addition, providers offering the ECCE programme may charge a refundable booking deposit to hold an ECCE place for a child. The maximum deposit a provider may charge is equivalent to four weeks’ of an ECCE payment (i.e. €276). This must appear on the service provider’s fees list. The ECCE deposit must be returned in full to the parent/guardian once the child’s registration is approved by Pobal.
Similarly for the CCSP Saver programme, a provider may charge a refundable booking deposit up to a maximum equivalent to two weeks total payment. The full deposit must be refunded to the parent/guardian once the child’s registration is approved.
Any parent experiencing difficulty or who has a concern that the deposit they have been requested to pay to secure a place are encouraged to contact their local CCC for advice and support.
Contact details for the local CCC’s can be found at myccc.ie/ .
