James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding matters (details supplied) concerning the community childcare subvention scheme on behalf of a group in County Longford; the timeframe for a review in view of the fact that services are not in a position to wait for a couple of months; if consideration is being given to a once yearly submission with a plus, minus system; if back-pay will be given to January 2009 in consideration of new children, rather than payment from the day the review has been dealt with; when a breakdown of allocations will be available in view of the fact that this is necessary for the efficient running of child care businesses, while contingency money can be used for new parents entitled to subvention, at 5% to 10%, and lack of consistent information being available through the members of the OMCYA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9565/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010, under which the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) is being implemented.

Services participating in the CCSS receive annual funding on the basis of the number of qualifying parents recorded as using the service in a particular reference week, generally set in late September of each year. Services may apply mid-year to have their funding reviewed, where they believe they would benefit from additional funding as a result of having additional numbers of qualifying parents. In 2009, services have been advised that they should request a review by 13 March and that the reference week will be that ending on 3 April. Where a review results in an increased level of funding, this will be calculated with effect from 1 April.

As the funding is paid on the basis of the number of qualifying parents using a service at a particular point in time, the increase in funding will apply from that date and cannot be applied retrospectively. It is also noted that the facility for a mid-year review is optional and services with lesser numbers of qualifying parents are not required to seek a reduction in their grant level. I am satisfied that the arrangements in place are satisfactory and provide for much greater flexibility than was the case under the previous support scheme, the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP), which allocated funding for period of 3 years.

I understand that services participating in the CCSS have been provided with detailed guidelines regarding the scheme, by the Childcare Directorate of my Office. If a service has not received details of its funding allocation in 2009, I would ask that they contact the Childcare Directorate of my Office who will be able to assist them in this regard.