Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Public Services Card

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Ceisteanna (974)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

974. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a person needs to hold a public services card in order to access the national childcare scheme and its financial assistance element; and if payments can be backdated for those who could not access the scheme due to reasons impacting his Department as a result of Covid-19 restrictions and changes in his officials' work patterns. [33648/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Parents do not need to hold a Public Services Card in order to benefit from subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme.

The Scheme has always been designed so that applications are accepted both online and by post. A Public Services Card and verified MyGovID account are required to apply online only.

At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection temporarily suspended PSC appointments and closed their Intreo Offices under the public health guidelines which meant that those citizens who had not verified their MyGovID accounts could not do so, if they did not already have a phone number verified with DEASP. However, we are aware that DEASP implemented temporary measures to mitigate this and to enable potential applicants to become MyGovID verified. DEASP have since reopened most of their Intreo offices.

Parents who do not have a Public Services Card can apply for the Scheme via the paper-based route. Parents can contact the NCS Parent Support Centre and arrange to have the correct application form sent out to them. For information on how to apply by post, parents can contact the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm

The COVID-19 Pandemic has created major challenges for Ireland. The sudden closure of centre-based Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services on 12 March was an unexpected but necessary move to safeguard public health in Ireland.

It has always been communicated by my Department that subsidy awards are payable from the week they are claimed, and not the date of application. It is a key aspect of the scheme that all claims are paid in arrears based on the attendance of a child. As such, the child must be registered with a childcare provider and the provider must confirm that attendance. This is a key financial and governance control to ensure we are maximising the benefits of public monies and that the investment is following the child.

The work patterns of staff within my Department overseeing the National Childcare Scheme were unaffected by Covid-19 restrictions.

Further information and resources for parents are available at www.ncs.gov.ie.

Barr
Roinn