Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 February 2014
203. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is aware of the impact that the delay in the CCS allocations has had on the community sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7199/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Childcare Directorate of my Department implements the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, with assistance from Pobal in relation to issuing payments.
Community childcare services qualify for funding under the CCS programme on the basis of the level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. The information provided in the parental declaration forms submitted to my Department is verified by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and the HSE. This information determines the level of subvention which applies to each individual parent. This information is gathered during a ‘snap shot’ week in the month of October.
Service providers consider their budget and fees policies prior to the ‘snap shot’ week based on the number of children they have in the service and their own requests for information from parents to estimate what subvention level they can apply for. The DCYA also advises that service providers should request this information again from parents during the ‘snap shot’ week.
All service providers receive preliminary payments before the verification process is complete, from which over or under payment may be adjusted at the next payment run, following the verification process.
Following verification, participating services are provided with a list of qualifying parents and confirmation of the subvention level applied to each parent. Parents can appeal if they consider that they are entitled to a higher rate of subvention. Applications for appeal must be submitted within one month of receipt of confirmation of subvention level. Confirmation of subvention levels is usually administered in mid-December, with appeals to be submitted by the end of January.
I appreciate that there was a delay last year in the verification process. Service providers received an extra preliminary payment in December due to this delay. The verification process in this school year issued to childcare providers in January and the closing date for parents to appeal these decisions and to establish their eligibility for the programme is the 28th February.
The appeals process for this year is underway and the outcomes will be communicated to the childcare providers as quickly as possible. While there was a delay in the verification of subvention levels, the appeals process is currently being processed at a quick pace and so, it is anticipated that the complete process will be finalised earlier than other years.
In cases where a decision is required as a matter of urgency, it is always open to the participating childcare service to contact the Childcare Directorate in advance of a formal determination being issued.
It is my intention to review all aspects of the childcare support programmes with a view, inter alia, to ensure that the maximum benefit is provided to parents and children in need of childcare support and that the payment process is streamlined so that providers are in a position to meet their financial deadlines.
