Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
651. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the full payment for the past year in respect of the early child care and education higher capitation rates will be paid to a child care facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30570/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to receive the Higher Capitation Rate, under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, the service provider must submit an application on an annual basis. If a service provider fails to submit an application, the Department will either revert the service to, or maintain the service on, the Standard Capitation Rate (whichever is applicable). It is imperative that the Programme rules are adhered to so as to ensure that ECCE capitation rates are administered in a fair and equitable manner for all providers.
It is not possible for the Department to make payments at the Higher Capitation Rate throughout a preschool year where services have not applied. My Department has no record of any application from the service in question, for the Higher Capitation Rate for the 2015/2016 Programme year. Therefore, it is not possible to grant payments reflective of the Higher Capitation Rate for 2015/2016.
If the service provider is in a position to provide the Department with any relevant documentation which would show that they had submitted an application for the Higher Capitation Rate in 2015/2016, this case can be reviewed
