Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
815. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his views on crèches inserting a clause in their terms and conditions stating that full fees are applicable for all closures due to exceptional circumstances beyond their control in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21746/20]
View answerEarly learning and care and school age childcare services are provided by private enterprises. 75% of services are operated as private businesses and 25% are operated on a not-for-profit basis by community and voluntary organisations.
All services who are registered with Tulsa may enter into funding agreements with my Department to deliver childcare subsidy schemes, including the NCS, CCSP and TEC, and ECCE, the free universal pre-school programme.
Providers are free to set their own policies regarding parental fees for childcare services.
If an individual service is directed to close by public health authorities due to a confirmed case of Covid-19 in that service, the service may apply for continuation of funding under the Department subsidy schemes, in accordance with the force majeure conditions of the schemes.
