Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 July 2020
181. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has received information from a crèche (details supplied) regarding the closure of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17516/20]
View answerMy Department has received no communication from the crèche mentioned.
In terms of funding, a key policy priority for my Department is the sustainability of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) sector and hence it has, and continues to, work intensively to support services to re-open after COVID-19.
On 10 June 2020, my predecessor Minister Zappone announced a major funding package to facilitate the reopening of ELC and SAC services.
The reopening funding aims to support providers to reopen, staff to remain in the sector, parents to resume work, and children to benefit from quality ELC and SAC.
The new funding package contains four significant elements:
1. A once-off reopening support payment for DCYA-funded service providers opening between 29 June and early September.
2. A once-off COVID-19 capital grant for DCYA-funded service providers opening between 29 June and early September.
3. Continued access for eligible providers to the Revenue-operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS)
4. Resumption of DCYA ELC and SAC programmes: NCS, CCSP and TEC will be available once again for children attending ELC and SAC services from 29 June.
It is expected that that this funding package will act as a significant sustainability measure for ELC and SAC service providers anticipating to reopen from 29 June until the beginning of the new Programme year on the 24th August.
It should be noted that a number of other supports were available before the COVID-19 pandemic to improve the sustainability of services during normal times, and these remain available now. The Department oversees a Case Management process through which local City/County Childcare Committees (CCCS) and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to early learning and care services. This can include help with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios, fee setting and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. Financial supports, which are also accessed through Case Management, are available for community services presenting with sustainability issues following a financial assessment by Pobal. Pobal co-ordinate the overall case management process with the CCC administering initial, and ongoing, case management assistance.
The decision by this service to close is ultimately a private business matter which the Department cannot interfere in. However, if any service does wish to remain open and requires support to do so, they should contact their local CCC in the first instance.
The CCCs are also available to support parents and children who may be affected by the closure of a service, and will provide assistance with identifying alternative Early Learning and Care/School-Age Childcare services.
