Written answers

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Department of Health and Children

Child Care Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork will be notified of its allocation for 2009 under the community child care programme; the progress being made by her Department regarding the required flexibility of this funding to take account of the changed financial circumstances of parents due to increased levels of unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11072/09]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry 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 19 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, under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP), which allocated funding for a 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. I also understand that services which have forwarded completed returns to the Childcare Directorate, including the service in question, have been advised of their funding allocation for 2009.

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