Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
549. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a company (details supplied) has signed up to the core funding model for childcare, and in doing so, agreed to freeze fees at 2021 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42571/23]
View answer550. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if recent moves by a childcare provider (details supplied) are a breach of any undertaking given not to increase child care fees under the core funding model; if the attempt by the company to increase childcare fees for 2023/2024 by designating the previous year's (2022/2023) fees as an introductory fee represents a back-door way to increase fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42572/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 550 together.
Core Funding is a payment to services designed to support quality, sustainability, and enhanced public management, with associated conditions in relation to fee control and cost transparency, incorporating funding for administration and to support the employment of graduate staff.
Services must uphold their contractual obligations regarding their fees charged to parents/guardians as laid out in the Core Funding Partner-Service Funding Agreement.
I can confirm that the service in question signed up for Core Funding during the 2022/23 programme call and is currently signed up for the 2023/24 programme call.
All services who participate in Core Funding must operate their early learning and childcare service in line with the terms and conditions outlined in the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, available here: earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/how-to-guides/corefundingguides/partner-service-funding-greement/ .
One of the key features of Core Funding is the introduction of a system of fee management which has been introduced to ensure that the affordability benefits from the NCS and ECCE are passed on to parents/guardians. This action is guided by the recommendations of the Expert Group, as approved by Government, to ensure that the introduction of fee management to the sector is done in a sustainable and considered manner.
Under Core Funding rules, fees must be not increased above what they were on 30 September 2021. An increased charge of any kind for an existing and unchanged Service Type will be in breach of Core Funding rules. New Partner Services that were not in existence on 30 September 2021 may set fees at their own discretion, but must adhere to those fees, and fee management rules, from when they signed their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.
Where an individual identifies a case of a potential breach of Core Funding fee rules by a service, they may seek to have this examined and a conclusion reached through the Core Funding Fee Review process. This is the appropriate mechanism to determine such cases as those the Deputy raises.
Further details on the Fee Review process can be found here: earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/together-for-better-guidelines-on-fee-management.pdf .
Regarding the Core Funding fee review process, I must note that Pobal, in their role as scheme administrator, are currently assessing the specific case referred to by the Deputy, and hence I am not in a position to comment on its status or potential outcome.
I would encourage any parent with concerns or questions about fees to contact their local CCC for support and guidance or to initiate a Core Funding Fee Review. The first point of contact for parents and providers in the Core Funding fee review process is their local CCC.
