Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 April 2021
110. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts he will take to address the high level of administrative duties for small childcare providers; if there are plans to streamline the administrative process for childcare providers, particularly smaller ones with less capacity to manage Departmental requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20916/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that some providers of early learning and childcare services have expressed concerns about the administrative burden related to providing my Departments funded childcare programmes to families.
Since 2017 my Department has provided an annual programme supports payment (PSP) to all eligible childcare services, in recognition of the administrative work associated with the various Department funded schemes.
The PSP is based on the number of children registered in the service under each childcare programme and is usually paid in one instalment in July of each year. €19million was distributed to providers under the PSP in 2020.
As the Deputy may be aware, the early learning and childcare programmes funded by my Department are administered by Pobal.
Pobal has introduced a number of measures to improve the experience of childcare providers:
- a new user friendly on-line administration system, the Early Years Platform was introduced in 2019, and the administration of all childcare funding programmes is moving to this platform,
- 'how-to' guides have been produced for providers to help them to complete administrative tasks,
- additional resources have been assigned to the Pobal provider centre which offers expert advice to providers by phone or email.
In addition to support from Pobal, childcare providers can access support and advice on programme administration from the national network of County Childcare Committees which are funded by my Department. Details of each CCC can be found at www.myccc.ie.
