Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014
73. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will guarantee that a child care service (details supplied) in Dublin will remain open and fully funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27989/14]
View answerI have provided the House with regular updates on issues regarding the services delivered by Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Ltd.
It is a matter of record that this Centre has been experiencing cashflow difficulties. The Centre incurred expenditure of €2.022m in 2013 and received funding amounting to €1.96m, resulting in a deficit of €62,000. Projections by the Centre show that income of approximately €1.8m is anticipated during 2014. With such a level of financial support available it should be possible to work constructively to continue services and avoid the closure scenario that has previously been outlined by the Centre.
Senior representatives from the Child and Family Agency, Pobal, Dublin City Childcare Committee and representatives from the board and management of the Centre have met on a number of occasions to explore options available to allow the service operate on a sustainable basis within the allocated funding. A number of options were considered and to assist in this process, Dublin City Childcare Committee engaged the services of an external mentor to undertake an independent detailed analysis of the matter.
I understand that the external mentor will complete their report by mid July, 2014. The objective is to ensure the development of a sustainable model of service delivery into the future.
In parallel, a wider examination will be undertaken of the level and range of early years services supported by the State in the Darndale/Belcamp/Moatview area generally.
The Child and Family Agency, as one of a number of State funders of the Centre, agreed and has made additional pre-payments to the end of August. This is in addition to previous pre-payments advanced for May and June.
I very much welcome the process of engagement which is in place and I hope that a satisfactory outcome will be arrived at which will ensure the continued operation of the Centre within the significant funding levels available.
