Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020
612. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of childcare providers that commenced operation of the early childhood care and education scheme prior to the activation of the contract; if these providers will be paid for the entire period of operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26469/20]
View answerPobal administer all childcare funding programmes on behalf of my Department. Pobal have informed my Department that there are 450 services which commenced provision of ECCE services in advance of the activation of their ECCE funding agreement.
My Department has directed Pobal to fund ECCE service providers from the date of a child's registration on an ECCE programme, where the registration happened in advance of the submission of the funding agreement by the provider. These providers will therefore be funded from the child's registration date on the ECCE programme.
