Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
296. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the concerns of Core funding partner services regarding the comprehensive and validated financial reporting requirements that they are now subject to; if so, what steps he intends to take to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49135/23]
View answer297. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the cost implications for Core funding partner services of complying with the new financial reporting requirements; if so, what steps he intends to take to support partner services in meeting these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49136/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together.
All Partner Services that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns.
Core Funding payments to providers must run on a programme year, September-August, in line with the school year, the operation of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector, and the payments made to providers under the other DCEDIY schemes. Therefore, the financial returns cover the period from 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2023 and must be submitted by an accountant from a registered practise or a registered professional body (ACA, ACAA, CPA, and CIMA), on behalf of each Partner Service. My Department is not requesting audited accounts.
To facilitate these reporting requirements, my Department has worked collaboratively with an external consultant to finalise the nominal codes for the Core Funding Chart of Accounts and develop the Core Funding Financial Reporting template and associated financial management tool.
My Department acknowledges the increase in administration for providers with the introduction of new schemes such as the NCS and Core Funding. I have allocated €32.13 million for administration under Core Funding in year two, and €35.34m for the third year of the scheme.
In addition a number of targeted supports are being considered by my Department to enable Core Funding Partner Services to comply with the financial reporting requirement.
In any instances where a service is experiencing financial difficulty, they can reach out to their local City/County Childcare Committee and avail of Case Management Supports. This can include operational supports as well as financial supports through Sustainability Funding if deemed appropriate.
