Early Childhood Care and Education Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019

Friday, 6 September 2019

Questions (1669)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

1669. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when ECCE providers are notified of changes to the ECCE contracts; the mechanism through which this is done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35104/19]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) funding agreement is published on the Pobal Programme Implementation Platform (PIP) a number of weeks before the launch of each programme year. There is ample time for service providers to review, seek clarification and sign the funding agreement before the start of the ECCE programme.

In the unlikely event that a change of circumstances necessitated an amendment to the ECCE Funding Agreement for e.g. due to a legislation or policy change, service providers would be informed through PIP and the amended funding agreement would be available to review.

My Department has no plans to amend the 2019/20 programme year ECCE funding agreement.