Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
206. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider backdating the universal childcare subsidy to when the child started creche; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47478/22]
View answerSubsidies under the National Childcare Scheme are payable from the start of the week in which the child is registered by the early learning and childcare service provider, subject to approval of the registration by the parent. Subsidies cannot be paid for a time before this point as backdating is not permitted.
As the Scheme's systems operate on a weekly basis, payment will be made for the week regardless of what day the registration is made. The start date registered by the provider can be at any point in the future but can never precede the date of notification of the award, i.e. there is no backdating prior to the date of receiving the award.
This is a key financial and governance control to ensure we are maximising the benefits of public monies and that the investment is following the child.
