Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1354. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review correspondence (details supplied); his Department’s plans to help in these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56830/23]
View answerProviders that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns as per their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.
At my request, officials from my Department have engaged with the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF) on issues raised by providers on these financial reporting requirements under Core Funding.
Following constructive engagement with members and nominees of the ELCSF, including Childhood Services Ireland (CSI), Childminding Ireland, Early Childhood Ireland (ECI), the Association of Childhood Professionals Ireland (ACPI), the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP), the National Childhood Network (NCN), the National Community Childcare Forum and Seas Suas, my officials have now finalised transitional arrangements for financial reporting to cover year 1 and year 2 of the scheme.
Financial reporting requirements in this transitional phase have been significantly simplified and streamlined. Specifically, in this transitional phase, the financial reporting requirement is for an income and expenditure report based on a significantly reduced set of Core Funding Chart of Accounts nominal codes.
The deadline for submission of returns for year 1 has also been extended to 22 March 2024. My Department will, in exceptional circumstances, accept a draft income and expenditure report by this deadline, however a validated income and expenditure report will be required before services contract for year 3 of Core Funding.
The revised reporting template and a set of FAQ are currently available on the HIVE. My officials are also working on other supports for providers in preparing and submitting these returns, including training supports and targeted financial supports for those that may need it.
My officials will continue to engage with members and nominees of the ELCSF on this and have committed to continued engagement on future development to the financial reporting requirement under Core Funding from year 3 of the scheme.
