Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
804. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to disregard the Core funding 2022 overpayments to childcare providers that are in an already compromising position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39488/23]
View answerIt is regrettable that a system error within the allocation system on the Early Years Platform, The Hive, has resulted in some Core Funding Partner Services being overpaid. I can assure you that the issue has now been identified and fixed, and amendments made to the system such that it will not recur.
While I am sympathetic to the Partner Services affected by this issue, I am sure you appreciate that my responsibility to safeguard exchequer funding means that these overpayments must be recouped. However, my officials have worked with Pobal to ensure this will be done with as much care and support as possible.
By default, overpayments will be recouped from upcoming Core Funding due across the rest of this year. For most services impacted by this issue, this should cause only a small, manageable temporary drop in Core Funding income. Nevertheless, all affected services have been advised that they can contact Pobal to request an alternative recoupment plan if they require one. If necessary, Sustainability Funding is also available to all Partner Services if there is no way to sustainably manage recoupment. Partner Services can also repay any overpayment by electronic transfer if they wish to do so.
My Department strongly encourages services which are experiencing financial difficulty, and would like support to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route.
