Written Answers Nos. 614-636
614. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which the amount that Pobal states services owe has been calculated; and if a breakdown will be provided. [44735/20]
View answerThe Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) was expediently launched on 15 April 2020 as a unique sector specific response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This scheme was in addition to the Revenue led Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) made available to other sectors.
The TWSCS supported approximately 3,855 or 85% of early learning and childcare services and ensured that over 22,000 staff in the sector retained their employment relationship with their employer. The 12-week scheme is estimated to cost approximately €50m.
While the unique 12 week scheme was being developed, preliminary payments were paid in advance to providers to assist their cash flow, enable them to retain their staff and cover some of their overhead costs. These preliminary/estimated payments resulted in some surplus funding being provided.
It was noted from the outset of the scheme, a reconciliation would take place between the final calculated amount actually due to providers and the preliminary payments that were made.
These reconciliations arise from “preliminary” payments which were made in April, May and June 2020 to ensure that providers received funding in a timely manner to enable them pay their staff and avoid laying them off, and cover some of their overhead costs. They were based on estimates of each individual service’s staff and overhead requirements, in advance of the more detailed TWSCS subsidy calculations.
The alternative for Pobal and DCYA would have been to await the detailed application form and verification, but this would have delayed payments and could have been detrimental to providers with serious income and cash flow difficulties caused by the COVID-19 closure.
Providers are able to view details of the TWSCS overpayments on the providers platform on Pobal's IT system PIP. The TWSCS contract value is provided, along with the amount paid, resulting in a balance due. However, should providers have concerns in relation to the overpayment amounts shown, or require further detail, they should contact the provider centre in the first instance to highlight and address their concerns.
Many services had the excess amount in their accounts and were in a position to repay it. In fact several providers expressed a wish to return the excess funding immediately and have done so in advance of the recoupment process which commenced in November 2020. Refunds of overpayments continue to be made to Pobal by providers in January 2021.
For providers who did not have funds on hand at the time and therefore were unable to refund the excess funding immediately, an alternative arrangement was put in place. The deduction of the overpayment was spread over the remaining Programme payments from the 20 November to the end of 2020. However, my department acknowledged that, despite the wide ranging Covid-19 supports available to date, there may be some providers who may continue to experience ongoing viability concerns and this alternative arrangement may not them suit at that time. In such cases, my Department put a third option in place. My Department asked and indeed encouraged any provider who had concerns to register a service request on Hive. The provider would be contacted by Pobal and an opportunity for an alternative plan would be discussed.
Providers were given an opportunity make final amendments to their subsidy application form in November 2020. Any changes made to the application form in the amendment window would result in a recalculation of the 12 week subsidy. Any recalculation of the TWSCS subsidy may result in the overpayment amount being adjusted.
The final 12 week subsidy recalculation was run in early December. Pobal are now in the process of completing recalculation process and adjusting overpayments amounts to be repaid if necessary, for the providers who made adjustments to their application form. It is anticipated the recalculation process will be finalised in the coming weeks as Pobal continue to make the final Revenue and quality assurance checks as required.
As stated previously, Pobal recognises the immense pressure that services have been under and is committed to continuing to work with the Department and the sector to support it through these exceptionally difficult times.
The measures put in place to support the ELC and SAC sector since March 12 have been very successful including the TWSCS and the EWSS. Approximately the same number of services have reopened in late 2020 as were open in late 2019, despite reports that up to 1,000 would close. This is a phenomenal result and reflects both the effectiveness of the Government measures and the hard work of the sector.
615. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which a person (details supplied) who is a survivor of a mother and baby home can access counselling to deal with the aftermath of events that occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44738/20]
View answerI recognise the importance of ensuring former residents’ mental health is prioritised and supported. In preparing for the publication of the final report of the Commission on Mother and Baby Homes, I have highlighted the counselling supports available to those who may feel they need additional support.
The National Counselling Service is a specialist service with 20 years of experience in providing counselling and psychotherapy to a wide range of clients including those who have experienced psychological difficulties due to time spent in institutions. Counselling is available face to face, by telephone or online through secure video. Access to the National Counselling Service for former residents may be made by direct self-referral or by written referrals from health care professionals, such as GPs.
I have engaged with the Minister for Health on these matters and I can confirm that steps have been taken to ensure that the National Counselling Service will be available to provide responsive and timely services for any person who needs professional counselling support during this time. Relevant contact details are included as follows. These services are free and details have also been published on my Department's website.
The National Counselling Service is available from Monday to Friday between 9.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Details of the National Counselling Service and contact details for each area are listed as follows.
|
HSE Region |
Area covered |
Telephone number |
|
CHO Area 1 |
Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim |
1800 234 119 |
|
CHO Area 2 |
Galway, Mayo & Roscommon |
1800 234 114 |
|
CHO Area 3 |
Limerick, Clare & North Tipperary |
1800 234 115 |
|
CH Cork, Kerry |
Cork & Kerry |
1800 234 116 |
|
CHO Area 5 |
Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow & South Tipperary |
1800 234 118 |
|
CH East |
South Dublin, South East Dublin & East Wicklow |
1800 234 111 |
|
CH Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow |
South West Dublin, Kildare & West Wicklow |
1800 234 112 |
|
CHO Area 8 |
Midlands: Laois, Offaly, Longford & Westmeath |
1800 234 113 |
|
CHO Area 1/8 |
Louth, Meath, Cavan & Monaghan |
1800 234 117 |
|
CHO Area 9 |
Dublin North & Dublin North City |
1800 234 110 |
In addition, an out of hours service, Connect Counselling, is also available to provide support and is currently providing an enhanced service from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day (7 days a week). This service is staffed by a professional team experienced in the work of past trauma and in particular childhood trauma. This service is generally available between 6pm and 10 p.m. Monday through to Sunday on 1800 477 477.
A new webpage with all relevant information for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes has been set-up by the HSE at:
www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/national-counselling-service/counselling-service-for-former-residents-of-mother-and-baby-homes
Additional mental health supports provided/funded by the HSE are also available to former residents. Details of these supports are available on www.yourmentalhealth.ie
For persons living in the UK, the Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy service (ICAP) run a counselling and psychotherapy service for survivors of institutional abuse which is available to survivors. It is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland and is provided free of charge. ICAP have many years of experience in providing psychotherapy for adult survivors of institutional abuse and their families and can be contacted on 0207 272 7906 or email clinicaladmin@icap.org.uk.
616. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons residing in direct provision centres that have tested positive for Covid-19 in 2020. [44770/20]
View answer617. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Covid-19 outbreaks experienced by direct provision centres to date. [44771/20]
View answer618. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of direct provision centres currently experiencing outbreaks of Covid-19. [44772/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 616 to 618, inclusive, together.
Responsibility for the recording of the number of people who test positive for COVID-19 lies with the Department of Health. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not confirm positive test results of any person. With regard to medical information such as who should be tested and when and the release of data relating to same, these are matters for the HSE in a public health context. My Department's priority is the health of residents, staff and the wider community and it is working very closely with the HSE to manage the challenges of this public health crisis.
IPAS and the HSE have put in place a range of measures in all of our Accommodation Centres to address issues relating to COVID-19 should they arise. These measures have included:
- Provision for self-isolation facilities in Accommodation Centres and offsite self-isolation facilities;
- Provision of a free, confidential and independent support telephone line for residents operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service;
- Increased capacity to support physical and social distancing ensuring no more than 3 non-related persons share a bedroom;
- Enhanced cleaning regimes and provision of PPE to all accommodation centres;
- Regular communications and information on public health advice to residents and centre managers;
- Cocooning of all medically vulnerable and over 65 residents;
- Accommodation scheme for healthcare workers;
- IPAS Living with COVID Plan which clearly explains how each of the five levels of restrictions in the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 affects residents and visitors to centres.
Information regarding outbreaks of COVID-19 are published weekly by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC). Details of outbreaks in International Protection Accommodation Centres can be found in table 5 at the following link:
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/covid-19outbreaksclustersinireland/COVID-19%20Weekly%20Outbreak%20Report_Week532020_v1.0_04012021_WebVersion.pdf
I can assure the Deputy that the health and well-being of all residents and staff of accommodation centres for International Protection applicants are very high priorities for my Department.
619. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department or State agencies under the aegis of his Department have awarded contracts to a company (details supplied); if so, the value of such contracts; if the contracts were tendered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44780/20]
View answerMy Department has not awarded any contracts to this company. The Adoption Authority of Ireland, the National Disability Authority and Oberstown Children Detention Campus have confirmed likewise.
I have referred the question to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the Ombudsman for Children's Office and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and asked them to provide the information sought directly to the Deputy.
620. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a person (details supplied) can defer an ECCE place for the person's children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44849/20]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year preschool programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week, over 38 weeks per year. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year. All children, including those with additional needs, are entitled to two years on the ECCE programme. The ECCE programme is not mandatory, and a parent may choose to send their child to ECCE for just one year, or not at all.
In the case referred to by the Deputy the parents may choose to defer starting the ECCE programme by one year therefore starting in September 2021. Due to the age of the children referred to, they will only be eligible for one year of ECCE, due to their age. It is currently open to parents in this situation to apply for an overage exemption to avail of a ECCE second year. The Department in deciding such applications is guided by expert advice that it is in children's best interests to start primary school with their age cohort.
It is not possible for the Department to approve an overage exemption for September 2022 based on a speech therapists report of March 2020.
621. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the meetings his Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) in 2020; the planned follow-up meetings in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44862/20]
View answer622. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the investigations that will be taking place into child protection issues at an organisation (details supplied); when these investigations will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44863/20]
View answer623. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the way in which his Department will communicate with persons affected by historical child protection issues at an organisation (details supplied); if there will be a liaison person assigned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44864/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 621 to 623, inclusive, together.
I met with the Commissioner of St John Ambulance in late 2020, and I am satisfied that the organisation in its current form is taking the matter to which the Deputy refers extremely seriously. St John Ambulance is keeping my Department informed of their intentions on how to progress the matter.
The Deputy may also be aware that a number of civil cases are in train in relation to the matter, and that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on issues before the courts.
I can assure the Deputy that all correspondence received by me, or my officials on my behalf, in relation to retrospective allegations of abuse is treated with the utmost sensitivity and responded to appropriately. I have received correspondence relating to abuse, in the past, in St John Ambulance. The Deputy will understand that it would not be appropriate for me to share details of this correspondence.
If you are aware of other individuals that have had similar experiences, as children, in St. John Ambulance please encourage them to come forward to the relevant authorities, An Garda Síochána and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
624. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter regarding the case of a child (details supplied) with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44875/20]
View answerThe Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) programme closed permanently to new registrations on 15 November 2019 upon the commencement of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) has replaced all previous targeted childcare programmes and provides subsidies to parents based on their household income. At present families with a net household income of less than €26,000 get the maximum subsidy. Above this threshold, up to a maximum household income of €60,000 net, families will get tapered levels of subsidy.
With reference to an application for ECCE Overage Exemption in respect of the child referred to by the Deputy, an application was received by officials in my Department on 23 February 2020. The application was refused as, if granted, the child would have been over six in his first year of primary school. In considering applications for overage exemptions my Department is guided by expert advice that children should progress to primary school with their age cohort.
Supports are available for school aged children with additional needs, further information on which can be found on the website of the National Council for Special Education, https://ncse.ie/.
625. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a matter regarding the case of a childcare centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44897/20]
View answerSubsidies under the National Childcare Scheme are available year-round, and most are renewable on an annual basis.
However, on the NCS parent portal, there is a difference between renewing an application and beginning a brand new application.
A parent can choose to renew their current NCS award within the six week renewal window. Where a parent completes their application renewal within the application window, their current NCS award will continue until its expiry date, and the new CHICK will be valid immediately after this date. This means that there is no gap in subsidy when an award is renewed in good time.
To renew an application, a parent should log in to the NCS parent portal, select the 'My Applications' section to view their submitted applications. Here, a parent can select their currently-active application and select the refresh button to begin the renewal process.
It appears based on the new information provided that the applicant opted to commence a new application rather than renew their existing award. As one family obviously cannot have two active awards, when an applicant receives a new award, this will invalidate their current NCS award at the end of the week. If the new CHICK is not registered with a childcare provider, the payment of subsidies will cease with the expiry of the old CHICK.
Whether a parent completes a renewal or a brand new application, in either case they will receive a notification from the NCS system informing them of the next steps they are required to take in order to avail of their subsidy.
The NCS Parent Support Centre remains available to assist parents and can be contacted on 01 906 8530.
626. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the reassurance or assistance that will be provided in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45138/20]
View answerKey policy objectives of my Department is to improve affordability, accessibility and quality of early learning and care and school-age childcare. A 117% increase in investment over the last number of years has led to a doubling in the number of children receiving free or subsidised early learning and care and school-age childcare. It has also supported the sector to increase the number of places available – by up to 60 percent.
First 5, the ten-year whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families pledges to build on this progress. Among key strategic actions in First 5 is a commitment to 'maintain and extend the supply of high-quality publicly subsidised early learning and care and school-age childcare to best serve the developmental needs of babies and young children, ensuring that it also reflects the needs and preferences of parents and families'.
To deliver on this strategic action, a range of actions are under way, including an update of the National Planning Guidelines for the development of early learning and care and school-age childcare settings, the extension of regulation to all paid, non-relative childminders on a phased basis and the development of a strategic capital investment plan to deliver large-scale capital investment under Project 2040. There is also a commitment to strengthen capacity to accurately forecast supply and demand for early learning and care and school-age childcare.
Supply of, and demand for, early learning and care and school-age childcare places is currently monitored annually through the Early Years Sector Profile. This survey is conducted by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
The most recent published report of findings from this survey is on 2019 data. This reveals that the current supply of early learning and care and school-age childcare broadly meets parental demand. However, there is some evidence of capacity issues in certain areas and for certain age groups.
The following table shows the capacity in County Monaghan.
|
County |
Children enrolled |
Vacant places |
Waiting List |
|
Monaghan |
3,925 |
257 |
211 |
There are currently 58 early learning and care and school-age childcare services in Monaghan that are in contract with my Department. Those experiencing difficulties accessing a service can contact Monaghan County Childcare Committee who may be able to provide assistance.
627. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of young persons discharged from State care into homeless services in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45164/20]
View answerThe Deputy refers to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response issue to the Deputy in due course.
628. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the childcare facilities that will be in place for children of front-line workers for the duration of level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1123/21]
View answerMy Department issued detailed guidance to all early learning and care and school age childcare services on Friday 8 January regarding the provision of services for children of essential workers and for vulnerable children during Level 5 Restrictions until 1 February 2021.
All early learning and care and school age childcare services, with the exception of services which provide the ECCE programme only, are expected to be open for parents who are essential workers and for vulnerable children from Monday, 11 January, unless the service has been instructed to close by public health authorities or has been given force majeure permission to close.
Information for parents is also available on my Departments' website in a document entitled 'FAQs for Parents of Children in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Services'.
If any parents with eligible children are having difficulty accessing a childcare place they should contact their local County Childcare Committee (CCC) who will be able to advise them. Parents can find the contract details for their local CCC on the website myccc.ie.
630. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the loss of ECCE hours during the Covid-19 crisis will be made up to the preschool children to ensure they do not miss out on crucial development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1270/21]
View answerA decision was taken by Government on 6 January that the ECCE programme would be postponed until 1 February in order to reduce movement in the population to reduce the spread of Covid.
My Department acknowledges that it would be very difficult for providers and practitioners to make up the four weeks they will be closed, and does not expect them to do so. My Department has asked that, where possible, ECCE providers engage with children and families who normally take part in the ECCE programme and who are not otherwise attending the service. Providers are asked to give particular attention to supporting children who avail of supports through the Access and Inclusion Model.
To assist providers and parents a preschool hub with free online resources will be available on the First 5 website.
631. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports in place to help childcare providers to remain open during the current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1279/21]
View answerUnder current COVID-19 restrictions, financial supports continue to be available to the sector, notably the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). EWSS is an economy-wide enterprise support for eligible businesses in respect of eligible employees. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll; and it charges a reduced rate of employer PRSI of 0.5% on wages paid that are eligible for the subsidy payment.
ELC and SAC services registered with Tusla received an exemption from the EWSS turnover requirements. This additional benefit exempts providers from demonstrating a decline of 30% turnover to be eligible for EWSS. Furthermore, the rate of subsidy the employer will receive per paid eligible employee under EWSS was enhanced on 20 October 2020 in response to nationwide level 5 restrictions and will continue to be made available during this January period.
Under the enhanced rates, the average ELC and SAC service with EWSS will have approximately, on average, 80% of payroll costs covered. This equates to approximately 50% of the usual operating costs of the average service – allowing them to operate sustainably with lower occupancy rates and higher delivery costs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
My Department is continuing to provide all ELC and SAC subsidy schemes at existing capitation and subsidy rates during the current Level 5 restrictions until the end of January. These include the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Saver Programme, Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Saver Programme and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme. My Department will continue to pay these subsidies in respect of children who can no longer attend while the current Level 5 measures are in effect, due to current restrictions, where services are provided to children of essential workers and vulnerable children only.
Despite beneficiary schemes funding continuing to flow from the Department, along with access to the EWSS, some services may be left with a short-term sustainability concerns due to lower income levels arising from current restrictions. Officials within my Department are currently developing a specific strand of funding to support sustainability issues arising out of the impact of full and part time early learning and care and school age childcare services opening only for the children of essential workers and vulnerable children. Further details will issue in due course.
My Department also oversees a case management support facility through which local CCCs and Pobal work together to assess and provide assistance to ELC and SAC services in difficulty. This support can include help with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios, fee setting, cash flow difficulties, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. Any service that has concerns about their viability during the current Level 5 restrictions should contact their local CCC in the first instance.
632. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a report of acute public interest (details supplied) will be published. [1315/21]
View answerThe report to which the Deputy refers has been commissioned by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla has advised my Department that the report has not yet been finalised. As such, I am not yet in a position to consider whether such a report will or should be published.
633. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which it is safe for staff, children and families to return to preschools while primary and secondary schools are closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1401/21]
View answerPublic health experts have confirmed that Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services may continue to operate during the current Level 5 restrictions. While no environment is without risk in relation to Covid-19, and this has been the case throughout the pandemic, services can significantly reduce their risk level by closely following the expert guidance provided by the HSE, which was prepared specifically for ELC and SAC services by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). It is also important to remember that the incidence of Covid-19 positive cases in children under 13 remains significantly lower than the population at large.
The Government decided to delay the reopening of schools until 1 February in order to minimise the movement of people at a time of significantly elevated levels of infection of Covid-19 in the community. The decision is not connected to the risk level of the setting (e.g. Schools or ELC/SAC services) but rather due to the Government's desire to reduce all movement of people in so far as possible, and so reduce the chance of the virus spreading. For this reason the reopening of the ECCE programme has been postponed until 1 February, and ELC/SAC services will only be open to children of essential workers and vulnerable children.
The advice from the national public health experts is that no change is required to the Infection Prevention and Control guidance for settings providing ELC/SAC during the pandemic. Services have been following this guidance effectively since reopening last June and it has helped to minimise risk of spread of infection within settings. My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, will keep this under review and will update as appropriate.
634. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if parents will be charged crèche fees in order to save their children’s place even if they are not attending; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1706/21]
View answerI am aware, and welcome that, many childcare providers have refunded or credited fees for parents who cannot access services at this time. I would ask all services to take this step, where possible, in light of the significant State supports provided to the sector.
I acknowledge that the relationship between a service and parent is a private one based on a contract.
My Department is engaging with the childcare sector on this matter and will keep it under review.
635. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a matter in relation to payment deductions for a childcare facility (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1707/21]
View answerI refer to your query in relation to the recoupment of overpayments under the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS). As has been advised to service providers and set out in the TWSCS Funding Agreement last April, it is a requirement of the TWSCS that unspent or excess monies are recouped.
As per communications to service providers regarding the treatment of TWSCS overpayments, the options to repay overpayments were outlined as follows:
- to repay the amount by 13/11/2020
- to request an alternative recoupment plan such as recoupment from other programme payments up to the end of March 2021 at the latest
If neither of the options were requested the default scenario was to recover from programme payments before the end of December 2020.
The Department has been in contact with the scheme administrator (Pobal), who have advised that they have no record of receiving any TWSCS refund payment from the service. As a result the overpayments which are showing as due have been fully recouped against programme payments per the original agreement and as flagged to all providers in September and November.
The scheme administrator has attempted to contact the provider on foot of the Deputy's PQ, but has been unable to make contact. The scheme administrator has been requested to continue to make contact to discuss the matter with the provider.
636. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if childcare providers will continue to be paid the national childcare scheme payments for the duration of level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1768/21]
View answerGovernment decided on 6 January that, in order to reduce movement in the population, the ECCE programme would not resume until 1 February. Other Early Learning and Childcare and School-Age Childcare services (ELC/SAC services) can remain open on a restricted basis, to offer services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children only.
Services who currently receive National Childcare Scheme payments which remain open to provide services to children of essential workers and/or to vulnerable children will continue to be receive payments for the National Childcare Scheme for this period.
Services may apply for force majeure if they are not in a position to open and, subject to meeting the criteria for force majeure, may continue to receive payments.
Detailed information on arrangements during the current Covid-19 measures including payments under the National Childcare Scheme are available through an FAQ document provided here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/367e6-faqs-for-providers-of-early-learning-and-care-and-school-age-childcare-services-12-January/
