Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
485. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will re-examine the decision not to grant an earlier date of payment for a core funding application for a childcare service provider (details supplied) given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32092/23]
View answerThe Core Funding programme year began on 15 September 2022, underpinned by the commencement of Employment Regulation Orders for the sector. The service in question completed the first stage of their application on 26 August and submitted their Core Funding Application Module and contracted for Core Funding on 13 October 2022, and was paid from that date forward. After contracting for Core Funding on 13 October, the service contacted Pobal to request backdated payments in respect of the 4 weeks from the beginning of the programme year on 15 September.
Backdating payments prior to the contracting date were only considered in cases of delayed application where there was documented evidence that the issue had been raised in advance with Pobal. In this case, as the service provider did not make any contact with Pobal during the period between 26 August and 13 October, backdated payments were not awarded. Decisions on backdating payments are underpinned by an audit trail of contact between the provider and Pobal’s Early Years Providers Centre. Decisions on backdating of Core Funding payments are final.
If the service is experiencing any financial difficulty, they are encouraged to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) who can provide case management supports.
