Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1152. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20813/22]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare and to support better outcomes for children. While the NCS is an initiative of the DCEDIY, a Scheme Administrator has been engaged to manage the operation of the Scheme on the Department’s behalf. Pobal acts in this capacity as Scheme Administrator, and it is their role to follow up on individual cases.
Officials in my Department have been in contact with colleagues in Pobal who have reviewed the documentation submitted by the applicant, including the correspondence between the parent and service provider. Pobal have advised that this is a matter between the applicant and the service provider to resolve and that it would fall outside the scope of an NCS Review or subsequent Appeal.
In cases such as these, the applicant and service provider can avail of supports from the local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC), to help support a resolution process regarding fees.
We would urge the parent to follow up with the service provider again with their Childcare Identifier Code Key (CHICK), for the service provider to register the CHICK and the applicant to confirm their claims for current childcare provision.
The contact details for all CCCs can be found on myccc.ie/.
