Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 March 2014
215. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the delay by her Department in paying subvention schemes; when the delay will be rectified with outstanding moneys paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12578/14]
View answerMy Department implements the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, with assistance from Pobal in relation to issuing payments. Community childcare services qualify for funding under the CCS programme on the basis of the level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. The information provided in the parental declaration forms submitted to my Department is verified by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and the HSE. This information determines the level of subvention which applies to each individual parent. This information is gathered during a ‘snap shot’ week in the month of October.
Service providers consider their budget and fees policies prior to the ‘snap shot’ week based on the number of children they have in the service and their own requests for information from parents to estimate what subvention level they can apply for. The DCYA also advises that service providers should request this information again from parents during the ‘snap shot’ week.
All service providers receive preliminary payments before the verification process is complete, from which over or under payment may be adjusted at the next payment run, following the verification process. Following verification, participating services are provided with a list of qualifying parents and confirmation of the subvention level applied to each parent. Parents can appeal if they consider that they are entitled to a higher rate of subvention. Applications for appeal must be submitted within one month of receipt of confirmation of subvention level. The verification process in this school year issued to childcare providers in January and the closing date for parents to appeal these decisions and to establish their eligibility for the programme was the 28th February.
The appeals process for this year is underway and the outcomes will be communicated to the childcare providers as quickly as possible. While there was a delay in the verification of subvention levels, the appeals process is currently being processed at a quick pace and so, it is anticipated that the complete process will be finalised earlier than other years. In cases where a decision is required as a matter of urgency, it is always open to the participating childcare service to contact the Childcare Directorate in advance of a formal determination being issued.
I would like also to advise the Deputy that in addition to the above programme new strands of childcare support programmes have been introduced to support parents and children in need of childcare supports for social, training or employment reasons. Officials in my Department are currently working intensively to develop an ICT infrastructure to support the efficient administration of these support programmes so that the payment process is streamlined and that providers are in a position to meet their financial deadlines.
